African Tree Extract May Help Blood Sugar Health

Sclerocarya birrea, commonly known as the marula, is a medium-sized deciduous tree. A recent study suggests that supplementation with sclerocarya birrea extract may help improve glucose metabolism in prediabetics.

Sixty-seven adults previously diagnosed with prediabetes participated in the study. Half were given 100 mg of sclerocarya birrea extract and the other half were given a placebo daily for 90 days. Serum glucose levels, serum insulin, insulin resistance markers and flow-mediated dilation were measured at baseline, day 40, and day 90.

Participants in the extract group saw statistically significant decreases in serum glucose levels at day 40 and day 90 compared to baseline. They also saw better improvements in glucose peak, serum insulin, insulin resistance markers, and flow-mediated dilation compared to the placebo group. In addition, participants in the extract group saw a trend towards lower cholesterol levels and decreases in systolic blood pressure.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia. It was published online ahead of print on June 6, 2021 in the journal Nutrients.