Evaluating Whole Fruit Feijoa Powder for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Prevention: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
I A Mohamed, I R Sequeira-Bisson, J J Lim et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomised controlled trial tested whether daily whole fruit feijoa powder added to a low energy diet (LED) improved diabetes-risk markers in adults with overweight, predominantly obesity, and prediabetes. Participants received 1150 mg/day of feijoa powder or placebo for 6 months, including 2 months of LED-induced weight loss and 4 months of weight-maintenance advice. Weight and fasting plasma glucose changed over time in both groups, with no significant between-group difference. Systolic blood pressure declined more with feijoa than placebo over 6 months (treatment×time p = 0.01), and was lower in the feijoa group at months 4 and 6.
Key findings
- Weight decreased during the 2-month LED and rose gradually thereafter, with no between-group difference over 6 months (treatment×time p = 0.74).
- Fasting plasma glucose followed a similar trajectory in both groups, without a significant between-group interaction over 6 months (p = 0.09).
- Systolic blood pressure showed a between-group difference over 6 months (treatment×time p = 0.01); it was lower with feijoa at months 4 and 6 (both p < 0.05).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that feijoa powder did not add measurable benefit for weight or fasting glucose during this weight-loss and maintenance programme, but may have supported systolic blood pressure improvement. Blood pressure is a relevant cardiometabolic outcome in people with prediabetes and excess weight, although the result requires cautious interpretation.
What to keep in mind
The abstract reports no absolute blood pressure changes or effect sizes, limiting assessment of the magnitude and clinical importance of the systolic blood pressure difference.