Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Effect of oat supplementation interventions on cardiovascular disease risk markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

  • 2022-01-03
  • European journal of nutrition 61(4)
    • Erand Llanaj
    • Gordana M Dejanovic
    • Ezra Valido
    • Arjola Bano
    • Magda Gamba
    • Lum Kastrati
    • Beatrice Minder
    • Stevan Stojic
    • Trudy Voortman
    • Pedro Marques-Vidal
    • Jivko Stoyanov
    • Brandon Metzger
    • Marija Glisic
    • Hua Kern
    • Taulant Muka

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Population
4937 predominantly hypercholesterolemic, obese subjects, with mild metabolic disturbances
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 74 RCTs assessing oat supplementation on CVD risk markers
  • Rigorous Journal

Purpose

Oat supplementation interventions (OSIs) may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, dietary background can modulate such effect. This systematic review assesses the effects of OSIs on CVD risk markers among adults, accounting for different dietary backgrounds or control arms.

Methods

We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of oat, oat beta-glucan-rich extracts or avenanthramides on CVD risk markers.

Results

Seventy-four RCTs, including 4937 predominantly hypercholesterolemic, obese subjects, with mild metabolic disturbances, were included in the systematic review. Of these, 59 RCTs contributed to the meta-analyses. Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of total cholesterol (TC) [weighted mean difference and (95% CI) - 0.42 mmol/L, (- 0.61; - 0.22)], LDL cholesterol [- 0.29 mmol/L, (- 0.37; - 0.20)], glucose [- 0.25 nmol/L, (- 0.36; - 0.14)], body mass index [- 0.13 kg/m2, (- 0.26; - 0.01)], weight [- 0.94 kg, (- 1.84: - 0.05)], and waist circumference [- 1.06 cm, (- 1.85; - 0.27)]. RCTs on inflammation and/or oxidative stress markers were scarce and with inconsistent findings. RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of glycated haemoglobin, diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. The majority of included RCTs (81.1%) had some concerns for risk of bias.

Conclusion

Dietary OSIs resulted in lowered levels of blood lipids and improvements in anthropometric parameters among participants with predominantly mild metabolic disturbances, regardless of dietary background or control. Further high-quality trials are warranted to establish the role of OSIs on blood pressure, glucose homeostasis and inflammation markers.

Research Insights

  • Oat→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels

    RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of ... HDL cholesterol ... the abstract does not specify direction as beneficial in this comparison

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Apolipoprotein B Levels

    RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of ... apolipoprotein B

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Blood Cholesterol

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of total cholesterol (TC) [weighted mean difference and (95% CI) - 0.42 mmol/L, (- 0.61; - 0.22)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Blood Glucose Levels

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of ... glucose [- 0.25 nmol/L, (- 0.36; - 0.14)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Body Mass Index

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of ... body mass index [- 0.13 kg/m², (- 0.26; - 0.01)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Body Weight

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of ... weight [- 0.94 kg, (- 1.84: - 0.05)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure

    RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of ... diastolic blood pressure

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Glycated Hemoglobin

    RCTs comparing an OSI to heterogeneous interventions (e.g., wheat, eggs, rice, etc.), showed lowered levels of glycated haemoglobin

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Inflammatory Biomarker Level

    RCTs on inflammation and/or oxidative stress markers were scarce and with inconsistent findings

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced LDL Cholesterol

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of ... LDL cholesterol [- 0.29 mmol/L, (- 0.37; - 0.20)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Oxidative Stress Marker

    RCTs on inflammation and/or oxidative stress markers were scarce and with inconsistent findings

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
  • Oat→Reduced Waist Circumference

    Subjects receiving an OSI, compared to control arms without oats, had improved levels of ... waist circumference [- 1.06 cm, (- 1.85; - 0.27)]

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract
Back to top