Effect of Sunflower Seed Consumption on Blood Cholesterol Levels in Adults

NCT ID: NCT07231367

Last Updated: 2025-11-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 28 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-07-05
• Study Completion Date: 2023-08-20

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effect of daily consumption of sunflower seeds on blood cholesterol levels in adult participants. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a specified amount of sunflower seeds for a defined period, and their blood cholesterol and lipid profile were measured before and after the intervention. The study aims to determine whether sunflower seeds can contribute to improving cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol. Adult men and women meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. The findings may help inform dietary recommendations for managing cholesterol and promoting heart health.

Detailed Description

This randomized, open-label human trial evaluated the cholesterol-lowering potential of sunflower seeds in adult participants. Eligible men and women were recruited based on inclusion criteria, which included age range, baseline cholesterol levels, and absence of major health conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a defined daily portion of sunflower seeds for a specified intervention period. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention to measure total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and other relevant lipid parameters.

Prior to the human intervention, sunflower seeds were analyzed for their nutritional composition, mineral content, phytochemical profile, and fatty acid composition using standard laboratory procedures. Tests included proximate analysis (moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate content), mineral quantification (calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), phytochemical assays (total phenolics, flavonoids), and fatty acid profiling using gas chromatography. These analyses provided a detailed characterization of the seeds' bioactive components relevant to cardiovascular health.

The study also included assessments of dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and adherence to the intervention. The primary objective was to determine the effect of sunflower seed consumption on blood cholesterol levels, while secondary objectives included evaluating changes in lipid profile and potential associations with bioactive components of the seeds. Data were analyzed using standard statistical methods. The results aim to provide evidence on the role of sunflower seeds in cardiovascular risk management and to inform dietary recommendations.

Conditions

Hypercholesterolemia

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Control

Participants continued their usual diet without consuming sunflower seeds. Blood cholesterol and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Diseased Group

Participants consumed a defined daily portion of sunflower seeds for the duration of the study. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after the intervention to measure total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and other lipid parameters. Dietary intake and adherence to the intervention were monitored throughout the study period

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sunflower Seed Supplementation

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants consumed sunflower seeds daily for 45 days

Interventions

Sunflower Seed Supplementation

Participants consumed sunflower seeds daily for 45 days

Intervention Type: DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants included males aged between 40 and 50 years, with serum cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dL, and shared the same socioeconomic status.

Exclusion Criteria

• The participants were excluded based on different physiological factors, such as active smokers, alcoholics, chronic disease patients, people having extremely low or high BMI, people suffering from psychological disorders or familial hypercholesterolemia, people who belong to a high-income group, and people having doubts or confusion while following instructions

• Minimum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Faisalabad

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Amna Butt

Lecturer

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Other Identifiers

SUNSEED-CHOL

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id