Diet plays a key role in overall good health. Eating well ensures that your body has the nutrients it needs to stay strong enough to fight diseases, while consuming sugary foods and drinks full of refined carbohydrates can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

According to a study published in the journal PLOS One, drinking mulberry tea can help lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Isn’t good health everyone’s cup of tea?

Earlier studies have shown that herbal medicines can help regulate blood glucose levels. In fact, the commonly used diabetic drug metformin (biguanide) owes its success to goat’s rue or French lilac (Galega officinalis), an herbal medicine used in medieval Europe.

G. officinalis is full of guanidine, a substance that lowers blood glucose. Guanidine’s blood glucose-lowering properties formed the chemical basis of metformin, an insulin-sensitizing drug introduced in 1957.

On the other hand, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used mulberry leaves since 500 AD. According to the Grand Materia Medica, a decoction of the juice of the herb used as a tea substitute can stop wasting and thirsting disorder. Wasting (weight loss), excessive thirst, increased urination and tiredness are symptoms linked to diabetes.

The Grand Materia Medica, or the Ben Cao Gang Mu, is an encyclopedic compendium authored by Li Shi-zhen, a Chinese doctor from the Ming Dynasty.

At the time, the Grand Materia Medica was said to be the most complete and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine. It’s not just a book on medicine, it also discusses natural history, with a detailed classification of mineral, vegetable and animal products.

The compendium has 52 volumes and it took 27 years to complete.

How mulberry leaf extract reduces diabetes risk

In the PLOS One study, researchers observed the beneficial effects of an extract made from mulberry leaves.

The mulberry leaf extract was used to study blood glucose and insulin responses in healthy participants via a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

For the study, scientists obtained blood samples from the 37 volunteers after they were given a carbohydrate-rich drink with maltodextrin, a dietary starch with a high glycemic index. The ingredient is often added to many foods and beverages.

The volunteers were given either a placebo or one of three doses of the extract and the carbohydrate-rich drink for four days. The researchers measured the glucose and insulin levels of the volunteers over the next two hours.

Analysis revealed that the standard strength mulberry extract (250 mg) reduced the total glucose and insulin rises by 22% and 24%, respectively, compared to a placebo. The results are promising, suggesting that mulberry extract can help prevent diabetes.

Testing showed that the extract can effectively reduce the total amount of sugar being absorbed into the bloodstream by more than 20%. Unlike metformin and other diabetic medications, the mulberry extract didn’t cause any negative side effects in the participants, like flatulence and nausea.

An active component in the extract, 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) blocks the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars. This prevents the absorption of sugar and reduces the increase in blood sugar.

While mulberry leaves can be used to make tea, the extract used in the study underwent strict quality control processes to guarantee the consistency of its DNJ content.

The researchers believe that further study will help determine the long-term health benefits of mulberry leaf extract.

The other health benefits of mulberry leaves

Mulberry leaves are nutrient-rich. They’re full of powerful plant compounds like polyphenol antioxidants, along with calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C and zinc.

Mulberry (Morus) belongs to the Moraceae plant family. It includes several species:

• Black mulberry (M. nigra)
• Red mulberry (M. rubra)
• White mulberry (M. alba)

Mulberry leaves are said to offer other health benefits, such as:

• Anticancer effects – Test-tube research suggests that mulberry leaves have anticancer activity against human cervical and liver cancer cells.
• Boosts skin health – Some test-tube studies have shown that mulberry leaf extract prevents hyperpigmentation, a condition that causes patches of dark skin, and naturally lightens skin tone.
• Liver health – Both test-tube and animal studies have found that mulberry leaf extract can protect liver cells from damage and minimize reduce liver inflammation.
• Weight loss – Animal studies have revealed that mulberry leaves can increase fat burning and promote weight loss in rat models.

Mulberry leaves are considered safe for consumption, but they may cause side effects like bloating and diarrhea in certain individuals. Do not give mulberry supplements or tea to children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If you’re not used to taking mulberry tea or dietary supplements, consult your physician to check for possible drug or allergic interactions before adding it to your diet.

Sources:

TheConversation.com

Ancient-Origins.net

Healthline.com