Blood Sugar Effects

A small trial conducted but the American Diabetes Association investigated the effects of taking mulberry leaf extract in conjunction with a dose of sucrose on blood sugar utilization in 20 human subjects, half of which were non-diabetic control subjects and the other were type II diabetics taking oral medications. The volunteers in both groups experienced a decrease in initial serum glucose levels after eating the sugar. According to a paper published in the July 2007 issue of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,” this action may be due to the presence of a compound in mulberry leaf identified as 1-deoxynojirimycin, or DNJ. However, the authors of this paper also noted that the DNJ content in commercial mulberry preparations tends to be low, which suggests that the bioavailability of this substance from these sources is lacking.

Based on the results of these initial studies, mulberry extract may have an application in treating diabetes mellitus in the future. Until then, however, it seems likely that the DNJ in the extract mimics the activity of diabetes medications, which is to inhibit carbohydrate absorption. This means that if you are taking α-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose, mulberry extract may increase the effects of these drugs and cause a sudden or dramatic drop in blood sugar. If you have impaired glucose metabolism, or are insulin resistant, be sure to check with your doctor before using mulberry extract or any other herbs.