Big effect
Propolis lowered fasting blood sugar by over 1 mmol/L in a meta-analysis of 731 people with type 2 diabetes — but the effect was seen only in a clinical population, not necessarily in healthy adults.
This is one of the first large-scale analyses to suggest propolis may meaningfully improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes, but because the studies were done in a clinical setting and the dose wasn't specified, the finding is intriguing but far from a general recommendation.
A systematic review of 731 people with type 2 diabetes found that propolis supplementation reduced fasting blood sugar by about 1.13 mmol/L, a sizable drop. It also improved several other markers of metabolic health, like raising 'good' HDL cholesterol and lowering inflammation. However, the same analysis found no effect on total cholesterol or certain inflammatory markers, and the lack of dose details means we don't know how much propolis might be needed.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Propolis for Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Systematic Review
- n = 731
- 2025-10-09
- Frontiers in nutrition
This is a plain-language summary of a research finding, not medical advice. Pillser surfaces research signals to help you decide what's worth investigating — always consult a qualified professional before changing what you take.