(P17-059-25) Impact of Avocado Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effects of whole avocado intake on blood lipid concentrations, glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure. This study addresses gaps in prior analyses that included mixed dietary interventions, thereby offering novel insights into the specific effects of avocados on health.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL for studies until November 2024. Inclusion criteria required intervention diets with a quantified intake of whole avocado compared to a control group with lower or no avocado intake, or an alternative source of dietary fat or macronutrients. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. Random effects models using Der-Simonian Laird estimation were applied with inverse-variance weighting. Subgroup analyses were conducted as data allowed. Results are reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: We screened 11,011 studies, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria . Avocado intake was associated with small reductions in total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: -0.36 [95% CI: -0.67, -0.05]) and triglycerides (TG) (-0.33 [-0.58, -0.08]), with no significant changes in HDL-C (0.07 [-0.10, 0.24]), LDL-C (-0.11-[0.29, 0.08]), or VLDL-C (-0.11 [-0.30, 0.09]). Subgroup analysis revealed greater reductions in TC among participants with normocholesterolemia (-1.45 [-2.51, -0.39], p< 0.01) compared to those with hypercholesterolemia (-0.10 [-0.24, 0.04], p=0.31). TG reductions were greater among participants with hypertriglyceridemia (-1.23 [-2.11, -0.35], p< 0.01) than those with normotriglyceridemia (-0.08 [-0.23, 0.08]), p=0.23). TG reductions were observed in interventions of < 30 days (-0.92 [-1.54, -0.29], p< 0.01) but not of ≥30 days (-0.06 [-0.22, 0.11], p=0.19). Avocado intake was not associated with changes in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1C, body weight, BMI, or blood pressure.

Conclusions: Avocado intake is associated with modest improvements in blood lipid concentrations. Further research on the association between avocado intake and lipid metabolism is needed to refine our understanding of optimal consumption patterns and populations with the greatest potential to benefit.

Funding Sources: Avocado Nutrition Center