Arifin, Noorul Aysha (2026) The effectiveness of Brazilian spinach supplementation on health outcomes among type 2 diabetes patients in Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia. Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
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Abstract
Brazilian spinach is a green, leafy vegetable that is rarely commercially available in Malaysia but is considered to have potential health benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study evaluated the effects of Brazilian spinach supplementation on health outcomes in patients with T2DM. A single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted at Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia from March to June 2023 (12 weeks), enrolling 53 participants aged 30 to 65 years with T2DM. Participants were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 26) receiving standard dietary counselling or an intervention group (n = 27) receiving both dietary counselling and Brazilian spinach supplementation (15 g per serving). In Phase 1, proximate analysis of Brazilian spinach (per 100 g) indicated low energy (35.83 kcal), carbohydrate (6.20 g), and fat (0.06 g) content, with moderate protein (2.62 g) and dietary fibre (4.15 g) levels. Phase 2 assessed anthropometric (BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage), biochemical (capillary random blood glucose [RBS], HbA1c, liver and renal function tests), clinical (blood pressure), dietary intake, and self-care behaviours at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Gender distribution was similar between groups (27 males, 26 females), with mean ages of 52.96 ± 10.07 years (control) and 55.70 ± 9.88 years (intervention). Within-subject analysis revealed significant time effects on BMI (p = 0.005), waist circumference (p = 0.006), body fat percentage (p < 0.001), and dietary fibre intake (p = 0.001). Between-group analysis identified significant differences in capillary RBS (p = 0.010) and dietary intake, including energy (p = 0.006) and carbohydrate intake (p = 0.012). No significant changes were observed in HbA1c or other health parameters (p > 0.05). Liver and renal function tests confirmed the safety of the intervention. In summary, Brazilian spinach supplementation significantly improved capillary RBS levels and dietary intake without adverse effects, indicating its potential as a dietary supplement for T2DM management. Further large-scale and long-term studies are recommended to confirm its efficacy.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Brazilian spinach supplementation |
| Subjects: | R Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research |
| Divisions: | Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus) > Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan (School of Health Sciences) > Thesis |
| Depositing User: | Mr Abdul Hadi Mohammad |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Jul 2026 07:01 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jul 2026 07:01 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64008 |
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