Postprandial glycemic effect of mulberry leaf extract: a randomized crossover pilot study in Asians

Purpose Managing postprandial hyperglycemia is a strategy to address the development and progression of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the effect of a natural food supplement containing mulberry leaf extract (MLE) in the form of 1-deoxynojirimycin when consumed with parathas (a type of South Asian flatbread) with different fiber content on postprandial glycemia. Design/methodology/approach In this randomized crossover pilot study, 16 healthy adults consumed four test meals: paratha (P); high-fiber paratha (PF); paratha with supplement (P-S); and high-fiber paratha with supplement (PF-S). The paratha (P) and high-fiber paratha (PF) contained 0 g and 7.8 g of fiber, respectively. Capillary blood glucose was collected over a 2-h period. Findings Analysis of variance analyses showed that there was no difference in glycemic response (mean glucose peaks, time to peak, incremental glucose peaks and iAUC0-120min) when the participants consumed both types of parathas on their own. However, consuming the supplement significantly reduced the glycemic response (mean glucose peaks, time to peak, incremental glucose peaks and iAUC0-120min) to both types of parathas. The use of a food supplement containing MLE lowered postprandial glycemia regardless of the fiber content of parathas. Practical implications This food supplement may be a useful nutritional strategy to reduce the glycemic response from eating carbohydrate-rich food such as the paratha flatbread. Originality/value This study showed that the use of a food supplement containing MLE lowered postprandial glycemia regardless of the fiber content of the food.