Effect of a free sugar-restricted diet on anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Nutrition, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- 2School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 3Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
- 4Department of Nutrition, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
Abstract
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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BibTeX
@article{gholamshahi2026effect,
title = {{Effect of a free sugar-restricted diet on anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.}},
author = {Hajar Gholamshahi and Alireza Houshdar Tehrani and Danial Fotros and Asal Ataie-Jafari},
journal = {BMC endocrine disorders},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12902-026-02451-3},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42963562},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of a free sugar-restricted diet on anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, and glycemic control in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
AU - Hajar Gholamshahi
AU - Alireza Houshdar Tehrani
AU - Danial Fotros
AU - Asal Ataie-Jafari
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/04
JO - BMC endocrine disorders
DO - 10.1186/s12902-026-02451-3
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42963562
AB - 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.
SN - 1472-6823
ER -