Bangkok: On social media, mulberry leaves are being widely shared for their health benefits, including controlling blood sugar levels, lowering bad cholesterol, reducing infections, preventing cancer, improving eyesight, and fighting free radicals. Is this true? Mulberry leaves can actually help control blood sugar levels because mulberry leaves contain the phytochemical ‘Deoxynojirimycin’ (DNJ), which research studies have found to contain this substance when extracted from mulberry leaves. The substance ‘Deoxynojirimycin’ has the ability to help control blood sugar levels. In addition, mulberry leaf extract, or the mulberry leaf itself, also contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds that can help control blood sugar levels. However, there is no clear conclusion on the appropriate amount to use.
According to Thai News Agency, human trials have shown that mulberry leaf extract can help lower total cholesterol levels. It reduces ‘bad cholesterol’ (Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: LDL) but increases ‘good cholesterol’ (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: HDL) as well. In addition, it has been found that mulberry leaf extract, or mulberry leaf itself, or mulberry leaf tea, can reduce blood triglycerides. However, it is not yet clear whether the “dosage and method used” are better than the medications prescribed by modern doctors for treatment.
Research studies have found that mulberry leaf extract can help kill bacteria in test tubes. In animal and human trials, mulberry leaf extract has been found to enhance immunity, meaning it increases the ability of white blood cells to capture and consume pathogens. However, when considering the body’s immune system, it has been found that, conversely, mulberry leaf extract reduces inflammatory substances, which is beneficial for people who experience frequent inflammation. Therefore, caution may be required in interpreting and/or applying it in everyday life.
Mulberry leaves contain phytochemicals or ‘phytonutrients’ such as beta-carotene, which can fight free radicals. Therefore, if we can fight free radicals, we can reduce the risk of cancer. However, cancer is not solely caused by free radicals. Therefore, simply consuming mulberry leaves does not mean you won’t get cancer. Nor does consuming mulberry leaf extract for those with cancer mean that cancer will be cured.
Eating foods that contain vitamin A or carotenoids can also nourish the eyes, allowing the eyes and retinal cells to function normally. The claim that it relaxes eye muscles or helps relieve tired eyes is ‘unclear’ and should not be made because it could lead to a misunderstanding of the essence.
Kaempferol and polyphenols in mulberry leaves help to make the skin look younger. Mulberry leaves contain both ‘kaempferol’ and ‘polyphenols’ as well as other phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties, but whether they are comparable to vitamin C depends on the amount the body receives. Therefore, anything in the body that can generate free radicals will benefit. However, the data on whether eating it will improve the skin is not clear enough to claim that eating mulberry leaves, which contain kaempferol and polyphenols, will improve the skin.
In summary, the ‘mulberry leaf’ story has some truth and some misunderstanding. Although eating fruits and vegetables is beneficial, eating them to treat diseases instead of taking medicine can have negative effects.