White mulberry: an ally for managing glucose spikes

Diabetes
Eléonore de Maurissens
Reading time: 5 minutes
Witte moerbei: een bondgenoot om glucosepieken te beheersen

Several studies have shown that white mulberry leaf extracts can help reduce glucose spikes after a carbohydrate-rich meal. A valuable property, because the better you keep your blood sugar levels under control, the better you can manage your hunger and any post-meal fatigue. To the great satisfaction of your metabolism!


Much remains to be discovered about the beneficial effects of plant extracts and their bioactive components. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on white mulberry leaves and their ability to regulate glucose spikes by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates. This property could help better manage imbalanced blood sugar levels.

 

What are glucose spikes and what do they do to our health?

Glucose spikes, or 'sugar spikes', are rapid increases in blood sugar levels after consuming carbohydrates. When eating foods high in carbohydrates (sweets, starches, or even certain fruits), the carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb the glucose. This glucose is used as fuel for the body or stored. This is why we also refer to insulin spikes after a carbohydrate-rich meal. Especially when they occur frequently, they can have a negative impact on the body:

  • immediate effects: fatigue and drowsiness because the glucose spike can cause a sudden drop in energy; increased hunger after rapid fluctuations in glucose levels, which may lead you to eat more as compensation (binge eating);
  • long-term effects1,2: increased risk of type 2 diabetes; inflammation and premature aging (oxidative stress), processes that can increase the risk of chronic diseases; disruption of weight regulation mechanisms (with potential weight gain, especially in the abdominal area).

In many parts of the world, white mulberry is grown for its nutritional and medicinal qualities

What is white mulberry and how does it regulate glucose spikes?

White mulberry (Morus alba) is originally from Asia. The tree has been cultivated for thousands of years for its leaves – the food of the silkworm – and for its edible fruits. It can grow to be 10 to 20 meters tall. The serrated, light green leaves are oval-shaped. The fruits, called mulberries, resemble raspberries and are edible once they are ripe. In traditional medicine, white mulberry leaves have historically been used to treat various ailments, such as diabetes and respiratory infections, and even to soothe inflammation. Today, we see the white mulberry in many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and North America. The tree is highly sought after for its nutritional and medicinal qualities.
White mulberry leaves, for example, are rich in 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a substance known for its hypoglycemic properties (which lower blood glucose levels). DNJ inhibits the enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars. Glucose is absorbed into the blood more slowly, and blood sugar spikes remain lower. This property makes white mulberry a potential ally in managing glucose levels. It could have a beneficial effect as part of a balanced diet to keep sugar spikes under control.3,4,5,6

 

White mulberry and blood sugar control: some practical tips3,4

The findings of studies on the effects of white mulberry in daily life can be applied in several ways to better manage sugar spikes: through diet, with food supplements, or by adopting other lifestyle habits.
1. Take mulberry leaf extracts in the form of food supplements. One of the easiest ways to utilize the hypoglycemic effects of white mulberry is to take food supplements based on mulberry leaf extract. These supplements can be particularly useful before carbohydrate-rich meals to limit postprandial glucose spikes (which occur after eating). However, always check the recommended dosage!
2. Opt for foods with a low glycemic index. In addition to food supplements, foods with a low glycemic index are also recommended. Vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins (chicken breast, tuna, cod, boiled ham, eggs, etc.) release glucose into the blood only slowly. Combined with white mulberry extracts, they help keep blood sugar levels stable in the long term. Tip: always combine fiber-rich foods (green vegetables, legumes) with complex carbohydrates (quinoa, brown rice) to limit glucose spikes as much as possible.
3. Base your eating habits on food sequencing. According to practical advice, it is advisable to eat fiber-rich food first and then carbohydrates. Combined with the use of white mulberry, this habit could optimize the positive effects on blood sugar regulation.
4. Physical activity after meals. Moderate physical activity after a meal, such as a brisk walk, also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. A little movement after a carbohydrate-rich meal ensures that some of the glucose is taken up directly by the muscles and the impact on blood sugar levels remains limited.
For proper blood sugar control and general health monitoring, always consult your doctor and, if necessary, a specialist. They can help you take the right steps toward better well-being for your body.

 

Are you sensitive to glucose spikes? What do you do to keep them under control? Have you tried the benefits of white mulberry yet? Share your experiences on our Facebook and Instagram!

Scientific references

  1. L. Monnier, C. Colette: "Postprandial and basal hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes: Contributions to overall glucose exposure and diabetic complications". Diabetes Metab, 2015 Dec, 41(6 Suppl 1):6S9-6S15. doi: 10.1016/S1262-3636(16)30003-9.
  2. E. Bonora, M. Muggeo: "Postprandial blood glucose as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Type II diabetes: the epidemiological evidence". 2001, Diabetologia, 44:2107-2114.
  3. P.S. Thondre, I. Butler, J. Tammam, I. Achebe, E. Young, M. Lane, A. Gallagher: "Understanding the Impact of Different Doses of Reducose® Mulberry Leaf Extract on Blood Glucose and Insulin Responses after Eating a Complex Meal". Nutrients, 2024, 16(11), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111670
  4. M. Lown, R. Fuller, H. Lightowler, A. Fraser, A. Gallagher, B. Stuart, Ch. Byrne, G. Lewith: "Mulberry-extract improves glucose tolerance and decreases insulin concentrations in normoglycaemic adults". PLoS ONE, Feb 2017, 12(2): e0172239. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0172239.
  5. G. Venugopal, R. Dash, S. Agrawal, S. Ray, Pr. Kumar Sahoo, B. Ramadass: "A Novel Nutraceutical Supplement Lowers Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Levels upon a Carbohydrate-Rich Meal or Sucrose Drink Intake in Healthy Individuals". Nutrients, 2024, 16(14), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142237.
  6. S. Chen, M. Xi, F. Gao, M. Li, T. Dong, Z. Geng, Ch. Liu, F. Huang, J. Wang, X. Li, P. Wei, F. Miao: "Evaluation of mulberry leaves’ hypoglycemic properties and hypoglycemic mechanisms". Front. Pharmacol., 06 April 2023, Volume 14, https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1045309.

Product mentioned in this article

Glucose-OK

Suffering from cravings or an energy slump after meals? Glucose-OK combines white mulberry with chromium, vitamin C, and B12. Chromium helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, while vitamins C and B12 support normal energy metabolism.
View product

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