Combined Effects of Gallic Acid Supplementation and Physical Training on Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

TL;DR

This study found that combining gallic acid supplements with physical exercise can improve body composition and reduce abdominal fat in obese individuals.

Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating the combined effects of gallic acid supplementation and physical training on body composition and biochemical markers in obese patients.

Findings

Gallic acid plus exercise reduced waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference in obese participants.

The combination led to decreased skinfold thickness at pectoral and abdominal sites.

Biochemical improvements, including increased albumin levels, were observed in trained obese individuals.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity has been linked to cardiometabolic alterations and deteriorated body composition. Gallic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, may influence these parameters; however, there is limited clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gallic acid supplementation combined with physical exercise in obese individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 150 participants recruited and divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (eutrophic or obese), supplementation (gallic acid 200 mg/day vs. placebo), and physical exercise (trained vs. untrained) for 12 weeks. Body composition, anthropometry, and serum biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the final assessment. A reduction in waist-to-hip ratio was observed in the obese group trained and supplemented with gallic acid (supplement × time interaction: p = 0.031). There was a reduction in waist circumference (supplement × physical exercise × time interaction: p = 0.041) and a reduction in skinfold thickness at the pectoral (p = 0.044) and abdominal (p = 0.036) sites. Fat-free mass showed a tendency to increase in the supplemented trained obese group (p = 0.054). In biochemical markers, an increase in albumin was identified in the supplement × time interaction (p = 0.043), especially in the trained obese group. Conclusions: The combination of gallic acid and physical exercise promoted improvements in abdominal adiposity and body composition markers, with favorable biochemical effects.

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