What role do maqui berries play in managing diabetes?
Maqui berries show promising potential in managing diabetes through several mechanisms:
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Maqui berries can help normalize fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. This is primarily due to their high content of delphinidin, a type of anthocyanin.
- Improved Glucose Metabolism: Studies have shown that maqui berries can enhance carbohydrate and glucose metabolism. In a clinical study, participants taking maqui berry extract experienced a reduction in after-meal glucose spikes by more than 15%.
- Insulin Sensitivity: The anthocyanins in maqui berries have demonstrated improved glucose absorption in insulin-sensitive muscle cells, potentially increasing insulin sensitivity.
- Inhibition of Glucose Absorption: Delphinol, a standardized maqui berry extract, has been found to inhibit sodium-glucose co-transport in the small intestine, which can help control post-prandial blood glucose levels.
- Long-term Blood Sugar Control: In a four-month study on diabetic rats, daily oral application of Delphinol significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels, reaching values similar to those of healthy non-diabetic rats.
- Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: The high antioxidant content of maqui berries may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are associated with diabetes complications.
While these findings are promising, it’s important to note that more research, particularly long-term human studies, is needed to fully establish the efficacy of maqui berries in diabetes management. Individuals with diabetes should consult their healthcare provider before incorporating maqui berry supplements into their treatment regimen.
