Effect of zinc supplementation on blood sugar control in the overweight and obese population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #zinc #dietary-supplements #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #blood-glucose

Effect of zinc supplementation on blood sugar control in the overweight and obese population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Yang et al., 2023 | Obes Res Clin Pract | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yang Hao-Yu, Hung Kuo-Chuan, ... Chen Jui-Yi. Effect of zinc supplementation on blood sugar control in the overweight and obese population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2023;17(4):308-317. doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2023.06.003

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although overweight and obese people have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes incidence than normal-weight individuals, the efficacy of zinc supplementation in blood sugar control in overweight and obese people remained unknown. This meta-analysis attempted to address this issue. METHODS: Databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception until May 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of zinc supplementation among participants who were overweight or obese without language restriction. It is a random-effect meta-analysis that analyzed the impact of zinc supplementation on fasting glucose (FG) (i.e., primary outcome) and other variables including fasting insulin (FI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2 h- PG). RESULTS: Analysis of 12 eligible RCTs involving 651 overweight/obese participants demonstrated that zinc supplementation significantly improves FG (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -8.57 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -14.04 to -3.09 mg/dL, p = 0.002), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.54; 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.30, p < 0.001), HbA1c (WMD: -0.25%; 95% CI: -0.43% to -0.07%, p = 0.006), and 2 h-PG (WMD: -18.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: -25.04 to -11.79 mg/dL, p < 0.001) compared to those in the control group. After conducting subgroup analyses, we found that the primary outcome, FG, showed more significant results in the subgroups with Asia, Zinc supplementation alone, higher dose (≥30 mg) and patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis indicated that zinc supplementation benefits blood sugar control in overweight and obese populations, with an especially significant reduction in FG.

Key Findings

Analysis of 12 eligible RCTs involving 651 overweight/obese participants demonstrated that zinc supplementation significantly improves FG (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -8.57 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -14.04 to -3.09 mg/dL, p = 0.002), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.54; 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.30, p < 0.001), HbA1c (WMD: -0.25%; 95% CI: -0.43% to -0.07%, p = 0.006), and 2 h-PG (WMD: -18.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: -25.04 to -11.79 mg/dL, p < 0.001) compared to those in the control group. After conducting subgr

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein

Population

Field Value
Population diabetes
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Zinc
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Blood Glucose
  • Overweight
  • Obesity
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Fasting

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09