The effects of royal jelly consumption on glycemia indices, lipid profile, and blood pressure in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a randomized, triple-blind trial

Abstract

Abstract Aims The effects of royal jelly (RJ) on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with acute ischemic stroke have not been previously reported from this trial. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis to investigate the effects of RJ consumption on glycemic indices, lipid profile, and blood pressure. Methods Sixty-four ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in this study and were randomized into the RJ ( n = 32) and placebo ( n = 32) groups. The trial consisted of a 12-week intervention in which patients consumed either an RJ or a placebo supplement once daily after breakfast. The RJ supplement comprised 30% RJ powder (the equivalent of 1,000 mg of fresh RJ), 53% honey powder, and 17% filler, whereas the placebo comprised 53% honey powder and 47% filler. Post-stroke metabolic profile measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention, including glycemic indices [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride glucose index (TyG)], blood pressure measures [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP)], and lipid profiles [total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-HDL-C, cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (TG)]. Results Following 12 weeks of RJ consumption, MAP [adjusted mean difference (AMD), -4.12 mmHg; 95% CI, -7.95 to -0.29] and FPG (AMD, -13.64 mg/dL; 95% CI, -26.42 to -0.86) were significantly reduced compared to the placebo. Moreover, the TyG index tended to decrease following RJ consumption compared to the control group (AMD, -0.12; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.04). RJ consumption did not significantly alter other metabolic outcomes in the current study. Conclusions We found that RJ consumption, in addition to standard treatments, for 12 weeks among patients with acute ischemic stroke may improve metabolic outcomes, including MAP and FPG. Further studies are needed to corroborate these preliminary findings. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180818040827N4), registered on October 9, 2021 https//www.irct.ir/trial/59,275.