When we meet someone for the first time and share what we
do, it often seems to open the gateway to a game of 20
questions. “What do you think
about the Paleo diet?” “It’s a good thing to give up gluten, right?” “Is a
banana bad for me?” “So, do you always eat healthy?” When we’re asked these
kinds of questions, we’re happy to answer them. We feel grateful that people
feel comfortable enough to ask. Here's a recent question we were asked...and
here's the answer!
Question: Do mulberry leaf supplements have any real health
benefits?
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| Image courtesy of David R. Tribble on Wikimedia Commons |
Answer: Mulberry leaf has been used for
centuries in Chinese and Japanese cultures as traditional medicine to treat a
wide variety of health concerns, from the common cold to diabetes. Mulberry
leaf—available in tea and supplement forms—exhibits powerful antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. And emerging research indicates that mulberry
leaf may possess specific health benefits, including controlling blood glucose
levels and protecting the heart against oxidative stress. Published studies in
the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of Nutritional Science and
Vitaminology report that mulberry
leaf may help control elevated blood sugar by slowing the rise in blood sugar
that occurs after consuming a carbohydrate-rich meal. In addition, mulberry
leaf may protect your heart by decreasing serum levels of triglyercides, total
cholesterol, and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Keep in mind that while this research
is encouraging, we need more studies to confirm these benefits. And your best
bet—as always—is to prevent chronic disease by eating a balanced diet,
exercising regularly, and managing stress in healthy ways.
This Q& A was written
by McKenzie for the "Ask the Expert" section in the June 2013 issue
of Environmental Nutrition.
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