Effect of Dates (Phoenix dactylifera Linn.) on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are often accompanied by dyslipidemia, namely metabolic
abnormalities in the lipid fraction of plasma. Dates contain high antioxidants that can reduce Low-Density
Lipoprotein (LDL) so that they can be used as non-pharmacological therapy by consuming them every day.
Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of giving dates (phoenix dactylifera Linn.) to low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) in type 2 DM patients. Patients and methods: The research method is a Randomized Control
Trial (RCT) using Pretest and Posttest with Control Group Design There were 36 outpatients at Pucang Sewu
Public Health Center which were divided into 2 groups, namely the control group and the treatment group. Each
group was randomly selected (randomized) and observed for 14 consecutive days. The control group and the
treatment group were the same in dietary treatment, namely consuming the diet according to their needs and taking
antidiabetic drugs every day. The difference was that the treatment group was given 50 grams of dates a day which
was consumed before the main meal. LDL examination was carried out twice at the beginning and at the end of
the study. Statistical analysis of research data using Paired t-test. Results: In the control group, LDL increased by
4.87 mg/dL from 101.33±20.6 to 106.11±19.5 (p=0.183) while the treatment group decreased by 1.00 mg/dL. from
102.00 ± 17.5 to 101.00 ± 22.1 (p = 0.848) but not significant, indicating that there was no effect of giving dates
to LDL (p = 0.383). Conclusion: giving dates to type 2 DM patients for 14 days can reduce LDL but not
significantly