Comparative effects of nutraceuticals on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 111 randomized clinical trials

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#adult #humans #overweight #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #body-weight

Comparative effects of nutraceuticals on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 111 randomized clinical trials

Shahinfar et al., 2023 | Pharmacol Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Shahinfar Hossein, Jayedi Ahmad, ... Shab-Bidar Sakineh. Comparative effects of nutraceuticals on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 111 randomized clinical trials. Pharmacol Res. 2023-Oct;196:106944. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106944

Abstract

There is no research on the comparative effects of nutraceuticals on weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. This study aimed at quantifying and ranking the effects of different nutraceuticals on weight loss. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to November 2022. We included randomized trials evaluating the comparative effects of two or more nutraceuticals, or compared a nutraceutical against a placebo for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss. One hundred and eleven RCTs with 6171 participants that investigated the effects of 18 nutraceuticals on body weight were eligible. In the main analysis incorporating all trials, there was high certainty of evidence for supplementation of spirulina (MD: -1.77 kg, 95% CI: -2.77, -0.78) and moderate certainty of evidence that supplementation of curcumin (MD: -0.82 kg, 95% CI: -1.33, -0.30), psyllium (MD: -3.70 kg, 95% CI: -5.18, -2.22), chitosan (MD: -1.70 kg, 95% CI: -2.62, -0.78), and Nigella sativa (MD: -2.09 kg, 95%CI: -2.92, -1.26) could result in a small improvement in body weight. Supplementations with green tea (MD: -1.25 kg, 95%CI: -1.68, -0.82) and glucomannan (MD: -1.36 kg, 95%CI: -2.17, -0.54) demonstrated small weight loss, also the certainty of evidence was rated low. Based on our findings, supplementations with nutraceuticals can result in a small weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.

Key Findings

Based on our findings, supplementations with nutraceuticals can result in a small weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 6171
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Overweight
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Body Weight
  • Obesity
  • Weight Loss
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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