title: The effect of minimal dietary changes with raisins in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis: a randomized controlled intervention.
abstract: Aiming at investigating the potential effect of minimal dietary changes in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis, 55 patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were assigned into two isocaloric dietary treatment groups for 24 weeks: (a) nutritional counseling (Control arm, N = 27), (b) nutritional counseling with currants included (two fruit servings, 36 g per day), substituting snacks of similar caloric content (Currant arm, N = 28). Clinical tests, anthropometrics, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were conducted pre- and post-intervention. A total of 50 patients completed the trial. Significant differences between the two arms post-intervention were observed in fasting glucose and in IL-6 levels, these being significantly decreased only in Currant patients. Body weight, BMI, HbA1c, CRP and EUS values decreased in both arms, differences being insignificant between the two arms post-intervention. Participants in the Currant arm had significantly reduced total body fat, WC and trunk fat. Ultrasound scanning improved significantly in patients snacking currants daily. Also, volunteers enrolled in the Currant arm showed a reduced intake of saturated fatty acids. Because BW regulation has been officially recognised as a treatment approach in NAFLD an additional analysis was repeated in patients adhering to this. Post-intervention, the decrease in IL-6 and in fasting glucose was significantly higher in Currant patients who lost BW compared to their counterparts in the Control arm. Conclusively, minimal modifications in snacking choices, such as the inclusion of dried grapes in diet, are beneficial in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andriana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Kaliora
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 17 Agiou Thoma St., 11527, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokkinos
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anastacia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diolintzi
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 17 Agiou Thoma St., 11527, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoupaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aristea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gioxari
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Panagiotis T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Kanellos
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: George V Z
authors.initials: GVZ
authors.lastname: Dedoussis
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Gastroenterology, Athens University Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece.
authors.forename: Jiannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vlachogiannakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Revenas
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens University Medical School, 17 Agiou Thoma St., 11527, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ladas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutritional Science, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave., 17671, Athens, Greece. akaliora@hua.gr andrianakaliora@gmail.com and Agricultural Cooperatives Union Aeghion SA, Korinthou 201, 25 100, Aeghio, Greece.
authors.forename: Vaios T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Karathanos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000178:diet therapy*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D027843:Vitis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers