Key result
Free sugar-restricted diet reduces fasting blood glucose by ~9 mg/dL and lowers weight in PCOS.
Why the study?
High-sugar diets are associated with increased lipogenesis and insulin resistance, potentially increasing metabolic syndrome risk, a condition closely linked with PCOS.
Does a free sugar-restricted diet improve anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?
RCT (n=74)
Single-blind
Computer-generated random numbers
No
Does a free sugar-restricted diet improve anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?
A 12-week free sugar-restricted diet significantly reduces body weight, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Free sugar restriction improves metabolic parameters in PCOS; extends RCT evidence supporting targeted dietary interventions.
Background High-sugar diets rich in fructose and other simple sugars are associated with increased lipogenesis and insulin resistance, potentially increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome, a condition closely linked with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a free sugar-restricted diet on anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with PCOS. Methods In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 74 women aged 18–45 years with diagnosed PCOS were randomly assigned to either a free sugar-restricted diet group (n = 37) or a standard diet group (n = 37) for 12 weeks. Anthropometric indices, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, insulin (HOMA-IR), insulin sensitivity (QUICKI), and lipid profile parameters including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Results Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant reductions in body weight and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.017 and P = 0.026, respectively). There was a significant reduction in FBG (P < 0.001) and an increase in QUICKI (P = 0.022) in the intervention group in comparison with control, though QUICKI lost significance after adjusting for confounders. Both groups experienced significant reductions in TC and LDL during 12 weeks, while TG levels decreased significantly only in the intervention group (P = 0.001). Between-group comparisons revealed a significant difference in TG (P = 0.037), and a near-significant difference in LDL (P = 0.054). After adjusting for confounders, lipid profile components, except for LDL, improved in the intervention group. Conclusions This study showed that a 12-week free sugar-restricted diet can lead to weight reduction and improvements in blood glucose and lipid profile parameters in women with PCOS. Trial registration IRCT20230615058489N1; Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( https://www.irct.ir ); Date of registration: June 25, 2023.
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Gholamshahi et al. (2026) conducted an RCT in Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n=74). Free sugar-restricted diet vs. Standard diet was evaluated on Fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD 8.85 mg/dL, p=<0.001). A 12-week free sugar-restricted diet significantly reduced fasting blood glucose by a mean difference of 8.85 mg/dL and body weight by 1.64 kg compared to a standard diet in women with PCOS.
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