The Effect of Cranberry Consumption on Body Weight and Liver Enzymes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

This study aimed to review the literature on studies that evaluated the effects of Cranberry consumption on body weight (BW) and liver enzymes in humans. The following databases were searched up to December 2024: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Data were pooled by the use of the inverse variance method and expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95 confidence intervals (95 CI). Ten studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that cranberry consumption significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.30 kg/m2, 95 CI: -0.55, -0.04, p = 0.023) while cranberry did not significantly affect aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: 1.42 IU/L, 95 CI: -0.80, 3.64, p = 0.209), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD: -0.09 IU/L, 95 CI: -3.63, 3.46, p = 0.962), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (WMD: -0.54 IU/L, 95 CI: -5.83, 4.75, p = 0.841), waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -0.37 cm, 95 CI: -1.66, 0.91, p = 0.568), and BW (WMD: -0.91 kg, 95 CI: -2.09, 0.27, p = 0.132). Cranberry consumption did lead to a reduction in BMI among adults over 50 years, those classified as overweight, and participants treated for more than 8 weeks. Conversely, cranberry intake was also linked to a significant increase in AST levels within these subgroups. Overall, the findings suggest that cranberry supplementation notably reduced BMI, particularly among older adults, overweight individuals, and participants who engaged in the intervention for more than 8 weeks.