Assessing the Effect of an Antioxidant-Rich Diet on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Using the Dietary Antioxidant Index (AD-MetS-DAI)

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. Globally, it is a major public health concern. International studies have linked higher Dietary Antioxidant Index with reduced risk of MetS, as antioxidants play a role in lowering the risk of MetS by reducing oxidative stress, a key contributor to its pathophysiology. Exploring this link in Pakistan can provide valuable insights for dietary strategies to reduce the risk of MetS.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Antioxidant-Focused Diet Intervention

Detailed Description

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. Globally, it is a major public health concern. International studies have linked higher Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) scores with reduced risk of MetS, as antioxidants play a role in lowering the risk of MetS by reducing oxidative stress, a key contributor to its pathophysiology. Exploring this link in Pakistan can provide valuable insights for dietary strategies to reduce the risk of MetS.

Hypothesis: A dietary intervention aimed at improving Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) scores beneficially affects Metabolic Syndrome risk factors among urban adults at risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome.

Material and Methods: A single-group pre-post human interventional study will be conducted among at-risk urban adults identified through the NCEP ATP III and WHO criteria. Dietary recalls will be analyzed in NutriSurvey using the Pakistan Food Composition Table, and any missing nutrient values will be supplemented from the Indian Food Composition Table. Nutrient data will be used to calculate the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI). Individuals with low DAI will receive dietary intervention.

Statistical Analysis: Pre-post changes in DAI and MetS markers will be assessed using paired t-tests, and Pearson's correlation will determine their associations using SPSS 25.

Expected Outcomes: The intervention is expected to reduce key Metabolic Syndrome risk factors while increasing individuals' awareness and motivation to adopt healthier behaviors.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 55
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Anaum Javed, PG; Phone Number: +92-3040370308; Email: anaumjaved768@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D; Phone Number: +92-3002479044; Email: qaiasr.raza@uvas.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Punjab Province
    • Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 54000
      • Recruiting
      • University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan
      • Contact: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D; Phone Number: +92-3002479044; Email: qaisar.raza@uvas.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18-45 years
• Metabolic syndrome risk (abdominal obesity & elevated BP as per NCEP ATP III criteria).
• Low fruit & veg intake (<5 serv./day) as per WHO.
• Willing to follow an intervention
• Non-pregnant or lactating
• Not diagnosed with malabsorption syndrome or chronic illness

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals < 18 years or > 45 years
• Not at risk of metabolic syndrome.
• Adequate intake of fruits & veg (≥ 5 serv./day) as per WHO
• Not willing
• Pregnant or lactating
• Diagnosed with malabsorption syndrome or chronic illness

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: Dietary Antioxidant Index-Based Dietary Intervention Arm; Participants in this arm will receive an antioxidant-rich dietary intervention designed to improve the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI). The intervention includes guidance to increase intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and antioxidant-rich foods while limiting pro-oxidant and ultra-processed foods. Changes in DAI and metabolic syndrome components will be assessed before and after the intervention.

Other: Antioxidant-Focused Diet Intervention; This intervention specifically targets the Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI) by increasing consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, while limiting pro-oxidant and ultra-processed foods. Unlike general healthy diet interventions, this study focuses on quantifiable antioxidant intake and its direct association with metabolic syndrome risk in urban adults.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI)	DAI will be calculated from 24-hour dietary recalls to quantify total antioxidant intake. The primary objective is to assess whether the antioxidant-rich diet increases DAI in participants.	Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in Metabolic Syndrome Risk Score	A composite metabolic syndrome risk score will be calculated by summing standardized z-scores of waist circumference (cm), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL), systolic blood pressure (mmHg), triglycerides (mg/dL), and inversely weighted HDL-cholesterol (mg/dL) to generate a single continuous measure of overall metabolic syndrome risk.	Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Body Composition	Body composition, including body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass, will be assessed using InBody analyzer to evaluate changes in body composition.	Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore - Pakistan
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Qaisar Raza, Ph.D, UNIVERSITY OF VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCES, LAHORE PAKISTAN.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 21, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 21, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2026
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Antioxidants; Dietary antioxidant index; Metabolic Syndrome risk
• Other Study ID Numbers: UniversityVAS3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No