A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the impact of cornelian cherry consumption on blood lipid profiles

Polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds are claimed to improve blood lipid profiles and to provide protective effects against cardiovascular disease. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that comprehensively investigated the effects of cornelian cherry supplementation on lipid profiles in rat models. Up to December 2020, 855 articles were screened, and finally, seven articles were selected as eligible for the meta‐analysis. This meta‐analysis revealed that cornelian cherry supplementation significantly decreased low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) (WMD = −6.38 mg/dl; 95% CI, −9.93 to–2.84; p < .001), triglyceride (TG) (WMD = −52.36 mg/dl; 95% CI, −80.50 to −24.22; p < .005), and cholesterol level (WMD = −37.16 mg/dl; 95% CI, −51.19 to −23.13; p < .005) in treated rats compared with control groups. A nonsignificant increase in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level was observed (WMD = 4.21 mg/dl; 95% CI, −3.25 to 11.66; p = .268). These results suggest that cherry supplementation may have health effects by modifying lipid profiles. However, there is a need for more well‐controlled human clinical trials to make more definitive conclusions about the potential health benefits of cherry supplementation.