According to a new Japanese study, mulberry extract (a food-grade mulberry powder with an optimized content of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ)) may have the potential to prevent diabetes.

DNJ is known to inhibit the action of the glucosidase enzyme that controls the digestion of carbohydrates.

Wrote lead author Toshiyuki Kimura from Tohoku University, in collaboration with researchers from National Agricultural Research Center for Tohoku Region, Minato Pharmaceutical Company, and Nippon Medical School:

"This study suggests that the newly developed DNJ-enriched powder can be used as a dietary supplement for preventing diabetes mellitus.

A human study indicated that the single oral administration of 0.8 and 1.2 g of DNJ-enriched powder significantly suppressed the elevation of postprandial blood glucose and secretion of insulin, revealing the physiological impact of mulberry DNJ (effective dose and efficacy in humans)."

The researchers described how the extract was produced in an article published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

While research results are potentially promising, further investigation is necessary to examine the efficacy of the extract in other population groups, including overweight and obese subjects who are more susceptible to type-2 diabetes.

Find more details from the full report.

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