# The effects of plum products consumption on lipid profile in adults: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis

## TL;DR

Eating plums, especially dried plums, may lower LDL and total cholesterol in unhealthy adults, but has no significant effect on triglycerides or HDL.

## Contribution

This study provides a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on the effects of plum consumption on lipid profiles.

## Key findings

- Plum consumption significantly lowers LDL levels compared to controls.
- Dried plum intake significantly decreases total cholesterol in unhealthy subjects.
- Plum consumption shows no significant effect on triglycerides or HDL levels.

## Abstract

Consumption of plum does not yet clearly affect the lipid profile. To ascertain the advantages of plum consumption on adult lipid profiles, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis. We used pertinent keywords to search the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science up to November 10th, 2022, in order to find trials that were eligible. According to the analyses, eating plum significantly lowers LDL levels compared to controls (WMD: −12.50 mg/dL, 95% CI: −22.06, −2.94, p = .010). Although plum consumption did not result in significant changes in TG (WMD: 0.56 mg/dL, 95% CI: −6.02, 7.15, p = .866), TC (WMD: −12.35 mg/dL, 95% CI: −25.05, 0.37, p = .057), and HDL concentrations (WMD: −0.39 mg/dL, 95% CI: −4.69, 3.89, p = .855) compared to the control group. Intake of plums, particularly the intervention type of dried plums, significantly decreased TC levels in unhealthy subjects, according to subgroup analysis. The consumption of plums had a notably statistically significant effect on LDL levels when the intervention type was dried plum and unhealthy subjects were enrolled. Due to the very low to moderate quality of meta‐evidence, to show how eating plum improves lipid profile, further high‐quality research are still essential.

Consumption of plums may reduce the level of TC and LDL in unhealthy people, but it has no effect on TG and HDL.