Nowadays, one of the most common diseases most people suffer from is diabetes, to be more specific – type 2 diabetes. As a matter of fact, only in the US, 29.1 million people have this condition, and around 8.1 million of them are actually undiagnosed.
This number is expected to rise. Doctors and scientists are predicting that by 2030 there will be half a billion people with chronic disease worldwide.
These figures come with an inevitable question: “Why do so many people develop this disease when it’s preventable?” The answer lies in increasing cases of insulin resistance and obesity.
Big portions of high fats and processed sugar make up for the average diet of every single person causing them to become susceptible to this type of disease. To treat or prevent this condition, there need to be made lifestyle changes.
This includes stress reduction techniques, changes in diet, and exercising regularly. In most cases, losing weight is crucial for reversing the effects of diabetes.
But, there are a couple of natural superfoods and supplements which can help treat and improve the health of these people. One such superfood is Mulberries. It is something anyone who has the disease must try.
Mulberries
Mulberries are actually deciduous large trees. They are native to subtropical, temperate, and warm regions of Asia, Africa, and America. Every single fruit measures from 2-5 centimeters in length.
Some species of mulberries look a purple-red color while ripening. However, sometimes they might be purple, red, white, or multiple colors on the same berry. Below are the most popular types of Mulberries based on every region.
- The white mulberry is native to central and eastern China;
- The American or red mulberry is native to the eastern US;
- The black mulberry is native to western Asia.
Mulberries Are Very Powerful Because They:
- Have anti-aging properties;
- Protect from stroke;
- Are rich in antioxidants;
- Lower inflammation;
- Counter neurological disease.
Also, Mulberries Are a Source of:
- Riboflavin;
- Iron;
- Niacin;
- Vitamin C;
- Vitamin B-6;
- B-complex vitamins;
- Manganese;
- Vitamin K;
- Magnesium;
- Potassium;
- Low amount of vitamin E and vitamin A;
- Folic acid.
Blood Sugar Management and Mulberries
In Asia, people tend to use leaves from mulberry to control their blood sugar levels. The researchers from Minneapolis VA Medical Center Human Studies Committee decided to study this particular method.
For the study, the participants involved 10 healthy control groups from 24 to 61 years old and then participants with type 2 diabetes from 59 to 75 years old. The latter was getting oral hypoglycemic agents and had no complications.
The participants ingested the placebo or mulberry extract at 8 am in morning. For 7 days, this was repeated but with the opposite treatment. Moreover, H2 measurements were checked during an hourly breath sample that continued for 8 hours.
Blood sugar was estimated with a fingerstick before the pill and then after 2 hours of sucrose ingestion. Also at 180 and 240 when it comes to the diabetic volunteers.
According to the results of the study, those participants who ingested the extract from mulberry showed a significant reduction in blood sugar for the first 2 hours of the study in comparison to the placebo.
Also, there was a big reduction when it comes to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Those compounds which induce antioxidants and insulin secretion which lower lipid peroxidation was also discovered in mulberries.
People can take a mulberry extract 2 to 3 times on a daily basis, as recommended by a doctor. Or, they can consume fresh mulberries by including them in jams, smoothies, and salads.
Source: Just Fun Facts
