Effect of Pomegranate Peel on Body Weight, Blood Sugar and Lipid Levels of Overweight Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Home Economics, Faculty of Agriculture - Alexandria University.

2 Food Technology Research Institute, Giza Agricultural Research Center.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Pomegranate Peel on body weight, levels of blood sugar and Lipids.
Design: thirty male  rats ( Wister strain, weight from  120- 123 gm ) were used, and the experiment had two stages. The first one was to rise the body weight of rats. During this stage the rats were fed on diets high fat (30%), for 8 weeks, while during the second stage (6 weeks) the Pomegranate Peel was added to the ratsꞌ diets of three experimental groups (7.5, 15, and 22.5) %. The body weight and length of rats were recorded weekly.
Results: The results of the three experimental groups revealed a significant decrease in body weight and food intake with increasing the percentage of Pomegranate Peel added to the diet. No changes in the Body organs were observed, while significant decreases were found in the levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, the triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and a significant increase in the HDL in comparison with the positive control group. The hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and the percentage of hematocrit were increased significantly when compared with the positive control group.
Conclusions: The results indicate that Pomegranate Peel has a significant effect on losing body weight of overweight rats and improving the levels of blood sugar and blood lipids. Therefore, Pomegranate Peel can be added to diets of people suffering from overweight.
 

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