Effect of Low-Dose Mulberry Fruit Extract on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Responses: A Randomized Pilot Trial in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

2024-07-09
Nutrients 16(14)
- David J Mela
- Marjan Alssema
- Harry Hiemstra
- Anne-Roos Hoogenraad
- Tanvi Kadam

PubMed: 39064619
DOI: 10.3390/nu16142177

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 24 unmedicated adult males and females with type 2 diabetes (mean [SD] age 51.0 [9.3] yr, BMI 27.5 [3.9] kg/m2)
Methods: In a randomized cross-over (within-subjects) design, consumed meals with 0 (control), 0.37, and 0.75 g of MFE added to ~50 g of available carbohydrates from rice
Duration: acute postprandial effects

Rigorous Journal

Adding mulberry fruit extract (MFE) to carbohydrate-rich meals can reduce postprandial glucose (PPG) and insulin (PPI) responses in healthy individuals. This pilot study assessed the acute postprandial effects of low doses of MFE in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In a randomized cross-over (within-subjects) design, 24 unmedicated adult males and females with type 2 diabetes (mean [SD] age 51.0 [9.3] yr, BMI 27.5 [3.9] kg/m²) consumed meals with 0 (control), 0.37, and 0.75 g of MFE added to ~50 g of available carbohydrates from rice. Primary and secondary outcomes were the PPG 2 hr positive incremental area under the curve and the corresponding PPI. Results were reported as mean differences from the control meal with 95% CI. Relative to control, 0.37 and 0.75 g of MFE reduced the mean 2 hr PPG by 8.2% (-20.8 to 6.6%) and 22.4% (-38.6 to -1.9%), respectively, and reduced PPI by 9.6% (-20.7 to 3.0%) and 17.5% (-27.9 to -5.7%). There were no indications of adverse events or gastrointestinal discomfort. MFE additions also led to dose-related reductions in glucose peak and glucose swing. At these levels, MFE appears to dose-dependently reduce acute PPG and PPI in individuals with type 2 diabetes and may be a feasible dietary approach to help attenuate glycemic exposures.

Research Insights

White Mulberry→Reduced Postprandial Glucose Response
0.37 g of MFE reduced the mean 2 hr PPG by 8.2% (-20.8 to 6.6%)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
0.37 g added to ~50 g available carbohydrates from rice
White Mulberry→Reduced Postprandial Insulin Response
0.37 g of MFE reduced PPI by 9.6% (-20.7 to 3.0%)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
0.37 g added to ~50 g available carbohydrates from rice

Adverse Events Reported

White Mulberry→Overall tolerability
There were no indications of adverse events or gastrointestinal discomfort.
Finding
Reported