Effect of Lycopene Intake on the Fasting Blood Glucose Level: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Lycopene is a lipophilic unsaturated carotenoid exhibiting a strong singlet oxygen-quenching ability. Herein, we investigated the effect of lycopene intake on the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level by conducting a systematic review and meta-analyses. We searched 15 databases (from the earliest date to June 2022 for PubMed or to August or September 2018 for the other databases) and included human interventional studies that assessed the effects of oral lycopene intake on FBG levels of participants ≥ 18 years of age. Three authors independently selected applicable studies and then assessed the study quality. Data were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD) and analyzed by the random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistics. A meta-analysis including 11 trial arms (n = 750) revealed a tendency towards a significant decrease in FBG level with not-important heterogeneity [SMD = −0.15 (95% CI: −0.31, 0.00), p = 0.05, I2 = 9%]. Subgroup meta-analysis including two studies (n = 152) in type 2 diabetes patients revealed significantly decreased FBG levels with not-important heterogeneity [SMD = −0.37 (95% CI: −0.69, −0.05), p = 0.02, I2 = 0%]. Most studies meeting the eligibility criteria had a moderate risk of bias. The funnel plot for FBG suggested an absence of publication bias. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analyses suggested that lycopene intake exerted an FBG-decreasing effect.