Beneficial effects of a beta-cryptoxanthin-containing beverage on body mass index and visceral fat in pre-obese men: Double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trials

Beta-cryptoxanthin (β-CX), a carotenoid abundant in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc), is suggested to suppress visceral fat accumulation in animal models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether daily intake of a beverage containing β-CX for 12 weeks reduces body mass index (BMI) and abdominal visceral fat. For this purpose, two double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trials were conducted. In the first pilot trial, pre-obese and obese men who consumed a beverage containing 1 mg β-CX showed a smaller increase in BMI in the β-CX group than in the placebo group. In the second main trial, pre-obese men in the β-CX group who consumed a beverage containing 2 mg β-CX showed a larger decrease in BMI and visceral fat area compared with those in the placebo group, without notable side effects. These findings suggest that this β-CX-containing beverage may exert an anti-obesity effect in pre-obese men.