Nutrients, Vol. 17, Pages 3556: Standardized Hibiscus–Inulin Shot Lowers Lipid–Glucose Indices in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: 8-Week Randomized Trial
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu17223556
Authors:
Edgar J. Mendivil
Ingrid Rivera-Iñiguez
Laura P. Arellano-Gómez
Erika Martínez-López
César Hernández-Guerrero
Sonia G. Sayago-Ayerdi
José P. Tejeda-Miramontes
Background: Few trials have evaluated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)–standardized ready-to-drink formulations, and short-term responses of composite lipid–glucose indices under controlled intake remain unquantified. This study assessed 8-week changes in Atherogenic and triglyceride–glucose indices (AIP and TyG) after the consumption of a Hibiscus–inulin (HIB–INU) beverage and tested whether baseline risk modified these effects. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adults aged 18–50 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (n = 100: 50 per group) who consumed a daily 60 mL Hibiscus–inulin shot or sensory-matched placebo for 8 weeks. The Hibiscus–inulin shot was LC–MS–standardized to ensure reproducible exposure; co-primary outcomes were AIP and TyG (pre-specified as exploratory), and secondary outcomes were mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). ANCOVA adjusted for baseline, age, and sex was used to estimate between-group differences and to test for interactions by baseline risk. Results: Adjusted 8-week differences versus placebo were −0.09 for AIP (95% CI −0.15 to −0.03; p = 0.004) and −0.14 for TyG (−0.26 to −0.03; p = 0.020). MAP and PP showed no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Effects were larger in high-risk baseline strata. Conclusions: A standardized hibiscus–inulin shot produced short-term improvements in composite lipid–glucose indices without hemodynamic change. Because minimal clinically important differences for AIP/TyG have not been established for short durations, these findings reflect analytical responsiveness rather than clinical benefits, supporting their exploratory use in short-term nutrition trials and cardiometabolic monitoring.
Background: Few trials have evaluated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)–standardized ready-to-drink formulations, and short-term responses of composite lipid–glucose indices under controlled intake remain unquantified. This study assessed 8-week changes in Atherogenic and triglyceride–glucose indices (AIP and TyG) after the consumption of a Hibiscus–inulin (HIB–INU) beverage and tested whether baseline risk modified these effects. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adults aged 18–50 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (n = 100: 50 per group) who consumed a daily 60 mL Hibiscus–inulin shot or sensory-matched placebo for 8 weeks. The Hibiscus–inulin shot was LC–MS–standardized to ensure reproducible exposure; co-primary outcomes were AIP and TyG (pre-specified as exploratory), and secondary outcomes were mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). ANCOVA adjusted for baseline, age, and sex was used to estimate between-group differences and to test for interactions by baseline risk. Results: Adjusted 8-week differences versus placebo were −0.09 for AIP (95% CI −0.15 to −0.03; p = 0.004) and −0.14 for TyG (−0.26 to −0.03; p = 0.020). MAP and PP showed no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Effects were larger in high-risk baseline strata. Conclusions: A standardized hibiscus–inulin shot produced short-term improvements in composite lipid–glucose indices without hemodynamic change. Because minimal clinically important differences for AIP/TyG have not been established for short durations, these findings reflect analytical responsiveness rather than clinical benefits, supporting their exploratory use in short-term nutrition trials and cardiometabolic monitoring. Read More