Mulberry Fruit May Provide Blood Sugar Health Benefits

Mulberries are a wild berry with a sweet flavor. They contain high amounts of flavonoids, antioxidants, vitamin C, and iron. A recent study has found that mulberry fruit extract may provide blood sugar health benefits.

For their study, the researchers conducted two trials to determine the lowest dose of mulberry extract that would provide blood sugar health benefits. The first trial included 84 adults with an average age of 35. They were given 370 mg 750 mg, 1.12 g, or 1.5 g of mulberry extract mixed with boiled rice or a placebo. Post-meal glucose and insulin levels were measured.

The researchers found that all doses of the mulberry fruit extract significantly decreased post-meal glucose and insulin levels. Post-meal glucose levels were reduced by 23% to 27%. Post-meal insulin levels were decreased by 14% to 35%.

The second trial also included 84 adults. They were given 40 mg, 120 mg, or 370 mg of mulberry fruit extract mixed with boiled rice or a placebo. Post-meal glucose and insulin levels were measured.

The researchers found that only the 370 mg dose had an impact on post-meal glucose and insulin levels. Post-meal glucose levels were reduced by 20% and post-meal insulin levels were reduced by 17%.

The study was conducted by researchers from Unilever R&D. It was published online ahead of print on March 11, 2022 in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Blueberries were found to provide blood sugar health benefits in a previous study.