Does pomegranate consumption affect weight and body composition? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials

Pomegranate is rich in tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and several other types of antioxidant compounds whose role in weight loss has been shown in previous studies. However, the results have been mixed regarding the effects of pomegranate consumption on weight loss. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to May 2018 for controlled clinical trials assessing the effect of pomegranate consumption on weight loss. A random effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the difference between the mean for the intervention and control groups. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (including 513 participants) were included in the present meta‐analysis. Compared with the control groups, there was no significant reduction in bodyweight, body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat percentage after pomegranate consumption (WMD = −0.23 kg, 95% CI: −0.94, 0.47, P = 0.515; WMD = −0.12 kg/m2, 95% CI: −0.29, 0.03, P = 0.132; WMD = −0.08 cm, 95% CI: −0.33, 0.17, P = 0.534; WMD = −0.05, 95% CI: −1.66, 1.55, P = 0.947, respectively). According to the results of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis, there was no significant effect of pomegranate consumption on weight and body composition indices.