# Synergistic effects of a carbohydrate-controlled diet and Cuminum cyminum herbal infusion on metabolic syndrome

**Authors:** Maria Aslam, Habib-ur-Rehman, Tabussam Tufail, Yousaf Almehmadi, Wajd Abdullatif Abualamah, Abdullah R. Alzahrani, Imran Shahid

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1623478 · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025-07-17

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining a low-carb diet with cumin tea can improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome, such as high blood sugar and bad cholesterol.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the synergistic benefits of a carbohydrate-controlled diet and cumin herbal infusion for managing metabolic syndrome.

## Key findings

- The intervention group showed significant reductions in BMI, body weight, and triglycerides.
- Cumin herbal infusion combined with a low-carb diet improved fasting blood glucose and LDL levels.
- The combination approach was more effective than the control group in improving lipid profiles.

## Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing global health concern and a major risk factor for conditions such as diabetic nephropathy and atherosclerosis. It is marked by chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Dietary interventions, including carbohydrate-controlled diets, have shown potential in improving metabolic outcomes. Cuminum cyminum (cumin), containing the bioactive compound cuminaldehyde, is known for its hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties.

This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of a carbohydrate-controlled diet and cumin herbal infusion on metabolic and biochemical parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome.

A pre- and post-interventional study was conducted on 132 patients (aged 18–60 years) diagnosed with MetS based on the ATP III criteria. Participants were recruited from the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH) through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups (n = 66 each). The intervention group (INEG) received a carbohydrate-controlled diet and cumin herbal infusion for 8 weeks. Anthropometric, biochemical, and physiological parameters were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.

Significant improvements were observed in body mass index (BMI), body weight, and lipid profile parameters (p < 0.005). The intervention group showed notable reductions in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and fasting blood glucose levels compared to the control group (CG).

A carbohydrate-controlled diet combined with cumin herbal infusion may support glycemic control and improve lipid metabolism in individuals with metabolic syndrome. This combined approach shows potential as an adjunct dietary strategy for managing cardiometabolic risk factors.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** cuminaldehyde (PubChem CID 326)
- **Diseases:** metabolic syndrome (MONDO:0000816), diabetic nephropathy (MONDO:0005016), atherosclerosis (MONDO:0005311)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** SI (sucrase-isomaltase) [NCBI Gene 6476], AKR1B1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B) [NCBI Gene 231] {aka ADR, ALDR1, ALR2, AR}, INS (insulin) [NCBI Gene 3630] {aka IDDM, IDDM1, IDDM2, ILPR, IRDN, MODY10}, SLC17A5 (solute carrier family 17 member 5) [NCBI Gene 26503] {aka AST, ISSD, NSD, SD, SIALIN, SIASD}, Pdlim3 (PDZ and LIM domain 3) [NCBI Gene 114108] {aka Actn2lp, Alp}
- **Diseases:** diabetic (MESH:D003920), atherosclerosis (MESH:D050197), chronic (MESH:D002908), renal diseases (MESH:D007674), fat loss (MESH:D004620), type 2 diabetes (MESH:D003924), calcium stones (MESH:D007669), obese (MESH:D009765), hypercalciuria (MESH:D053565), Dysbiosis (MESH:D064806), abdominal adiposity (MESH:D000007), Abdominal obesity (MESH:D056128), nephrolithiasis (MESH:D053040), hypertension (MESH:D006973), dyslipidemia (MESH:D050171), hypercholesterolemia (MESH:D006937), insulin resistance (MESH:D007333), metabolic endotoxemia (MESH:D019446), MetS (MESH:D024821), liver disorders (MESH:D017093), infections (MESH:D007239), metabolic abnormalities (MESH:D008659), vascular alterations (MESH:D057772), inflammation (MESH:D007249), weight loss (MESH:D015431), hypertriglyceridemia (MESH:D015228), diabetic nephropathy (MESH:D003928), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MESH:D065626), impaired fasting glucose (MESH:D007003), cardiovascular disease (MESH:D002318), overweight (MESH:D050177)
- **Chemicals:** lime water (MESH:D002126), sugar (MESH:D000073893), Glucose (MESH:D005947), cholesterol (MESH:D002784), salt (MESH:D012492), PUFA (MESH:D005231), TC (MESH:D013667), streptozotocin (MESH:D013311), creatinine (MESH:D003404), PUFA n-3 (MESH:D015525), -density lipoprotein (-), uric acid (MESH:D014527), nitric oxide (MESH:D009569), fat (MESH:D005223), sodium (MESH:D012964), lime (MESH:C016538), acetaminophen (MESH:D000082), blood glucose (MESH:D001786), 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde (MESH:C007165), water (MESH:D014867), polyphenols (MESH:D059808), Lipid (MESH:D008055), Carbohydrate (MESH:D002241), TG (MESH:D014280), urea (MESH:D014508), aldehyde (MESH:D000447)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon, species) [taxon 128608], Cuminum cyminum (cumin, species) [taxon 52462]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

31 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12310444/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12310444