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Existing evidence on the possible effects of saffron on glycemic indices were inconclusive. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify the effects of saffron supplementation on glycemic indices, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) among both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. A systematic literature search of online databases PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science and Cochrane's library was conducted up to August 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of saffron supplementation on glycemic indices in adults were included. A total of 15 trials involving 1139 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Saffron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in FBS (WMD = −5.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: −10.08 to −0.44; I 2 = 89.7%), HbA1c (WMD = −0.15%; 95% CI, −0.28 to −0.02; I 2 = 79.4%,), fasting insulin (WMD = 0.12 mIU/L; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.20; I 2 = 26.6%), and an increase in QUICKI (WMD = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009; I 2 = 78.4%) compared to control. Saffron supplementation could not reduce HOMA-IR significantly (SMD = −0.21; 95% CI, −0.45 to 0.02; I 2 = 0.0%). Saffron supplements may be beneficial to improve glyceamic indices. Therefore, saffron could be considered as a valuable adjuvant therapy regarding glycemic control of patients.

The objective of this study was to assess the association between dietary antioxidant intake and semen quality parameters in infertile men. In this cross-sectional study, dietary antioxidant intake was evaluated in 175 infertile Iranian men by a validated dish-based 106-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Men were asked to abstain from ejaculation for at least 72 hours before sample collection. Semen parameters were assessed by a sperm counting chamber and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay methods. Linear quantile regression was used to determine the associations between antioxidant nutrient intake and semen quality parameters (including total sperm count, sperm density, total motility, DNA damage and DNA fragmentation). Mean age of study participants was 32.19 ± 2.34 years. Compared with the lowest quartile, men in the highest quartile of dietary β-carotene and vitamin C intake had lower sperm DNA fragmentation index (P trend = 0.042 and P trend = 0.03, respectively). Also, dietary intake of beta-cryptoxanthin had a positive association with sperm density (P trend = 0.02), and dietary lutein was associated with total sperm count (P trend = 0.045). Dietary intake of other antioxidants did not significantly correlate with the indicators related to the quantity and quality of sperm (p > 0.05). These data suggest that dietary intake of some of the antioxidants is associated with semen related parameters.

Background: At least 50% of infertile couple's problems are related to male factor infertility and in many patients; nutritional problems have been related to decreased sperm quality. Thus, the present study aims to examine the association of dietary fat and mineral intake with semen quantity and quality. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 infertile men in Isfahan Infertility and Fertility Center, Iran.  Dietary intake of all patients was evaluated by validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and semen analysis was performed by standard protocol. Linear and quartile regression were used to determine the association of dietary fat and mineral intake with semen related factors. Results: There was a positive association between the sperm total count with iron (Fe) (Ptrend = 0.03), zinc (Zn) (Ptrends= 0.02), and selenium (Se) (Ptrend = 0.001). Men in the highest quartile of Zn and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) had higher sperm density (P < 0.05). Levels of Zn and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in participant's diet were also negatively related to DNA damage (Ptrend = 0.01 for Zn and Ptrend = 0.04 for DHA). Higher intake of saturated fatty acid (SFA) was associated with lower sperm density (Ptrend = 0.02) and higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) was associated with higher sperm totality (Ptrend = 0.02). Conclusion: In this preliminary cross-sectional study, diets containing higher amounts of Fe, Zn, Se, MUFA, and DHA and lower amounts of SFA were associated with more favourable semen quality parameters.

Purpose This paper aims to assess the impact of curcumin supplementation body mass index and glycemic indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and ISI web of science to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from the earliest record up to February 2021. The authors used a random-effects model to estimate pooled effect sizes. Findings A total of four potentially related clinical trials met the inclusion criteria which included a total of 198 participants. Random-effects meta-analysis showed significant effects of curcumin on fasting blood sugar (FBS) (−3.62 mg/dl, 95% CI [−5.65, −1.58], p-value < 0.001, I2 = 0.0%), insulin level (−1.67 µU/mL, 95% CI [−3.06, −0.28], p-value = 0.018, I2 = 0.0%) and homeostasis model of assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (−0.42, 95% CI [−0.76, −0.09], p-value < 0.01, I2 = 0.0%). No evidence of publication bias was discovered in the meta-analyses. Originality/value Present systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs showed beneficial effects of curcumin consumption on FBS, insulin level and HOMA-IR in patients with PCOS. However, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.