Caper, or Capparis spinosa, is known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and hepatoprotective properties. A study published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal assessed the effect of caper on anthropometric measures and some atherogenic indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

This was a 12-week randomized, controlled, double-blind trial with 44 patients who had NAFLD. Patients were randomized to either the control (n = 22) or the caper (n = 22) group. Anthropometric measures, serum lipoprotein ratios, and liver enzymes were evaluated prior to and after the treatment.

Caper and placebo both led to significant reduction in weight and waist circumference. Adjusted to the baseline measures, the mean difference in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C), triglyceride/HDL-C (TG/HDL-C) and total cholesterol/HDL-C (TC/HDL-C) was more significant in the caper group than the control group.

Daily consumption of caper for 12 weeks could possibly prevent cardiovascular complications in patients with NAFLD, suggested the study.

Source: Khavasi N, Somi M, Khadem E, et al. Daily Consumption of the Capparis spinosa Reduces Some Atherogenic Indices in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial, Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2018; 20(11):e63446.