From mulberry trees, usually only the fruit is used for consumption. However, it turns out that the leaves can be consumed, and are generally processed into tea. This tea is quite sought after by people. Because the benefits of mulberry leaves for health are quite diverse.
One of the most famous benefits of mulberry leaves is that it helps diabetes sufferers control their condition. This makes quite a lot of people use mulberry leaves as a herbal ingredient to make the body healthy.
Benefits of mulberry leaves for health
Not only does it control blood sugar, mulberry leaves are also believed to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the body. For more details, here are the benefits of mulberry leaves that you can get.
1. Lower blood sugar levels
Mulberry leaves contain several components that can help control diabetes. These components will help prevent excess carbohydrate absorption in the digestive tract, so that blood sugar levels can be maintained at normal levels.
2. Lower cholesterol
The benefits of mulberry leaves are obtained from the extract. A study states that consuming mulberry leaf extract three times a day before eating has been proven to reduce total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.
Even so, this research was only carried out on a small scale. So, supporting research is still needed on a larger scale to truly ensure that the reduction in cholesterol that occurs is consistent.
3. Reduce inflammation
Mulberry leaves also have anti-inflammatory properties, so they can reduce the body’s risk of experiencing various chronic diseases. Mulberry leaf tea is also said to have the potential to reduce pain caused by inflammation in the body.
4. Maintain oral health
A study was conducted by adding mulberry leaf extract to chewing gum. As a result, the chewing gum was proven to be effective in reducing the number of bacteria S. mutans in the oral cavity. These bacteria are the main cause of tooth decay.
5. Good for liver health
In research conducted using test animals and in the laboratory, mulberry leaf extract was proven to protect liver cells from damage. Apart from that, this ingredient is also able to reduce inflammation that occurs in the liver.
6. Helps weight loss
The ability of mulberry leaves to reduce weight has been proven in research conducted using test animals. This research states that mulberry leaves can increase the rate of fat burning in the body.
7. Prevents skin discoloration
Mulberry leaf extract is also believed to prevent hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a change in skin color to become darker in certain areas, causing the skin to become mottled.
8. Reduces the risk of cardiometabolic disease
According to one study found in NCBIMulberry leaves contain many chemical elements that can be used as medicine for cardiometabolic diseases such as antihyperglycemia, antihyperlipidemia, antiobesity, antihypertension, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic.
Even though the benefits of mulberry leaves above look tempting, you still have to be careful when consuming them. Because, even natural ingredients still have the risk of causing dangerous side effects for the body, such as allergies.
It’s best not to use mulberry leaf consumption as the main treatment. Consult a doctor about the health problems you are experiencing. Use mulberry leaves as a complementary herbal drink, after the doctor gives the green light that the ingredients in it will not interact with other medicines.
Pay attention to the risks of consuming mulberry leaves
In general, consuming mulberry leaves is safe. Even so, these leaves can trigger side effects for some people, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Nauseous
- Headache
- Flatulence
- Difficulty defecating or constipation
Apart from that, people with diabetes should also consult a doctor before consuming it. Because, these leaves can affect blood sugar levels in the body.
Because there has not been much research conducted on a large scale to prove the benefits of mulberry leaves, groups of individuals who are susceptible to disease, such as children and pregnant women, should not consume them.
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Notes from SehatQ
The benefits of mulberry leaves cannot be underestimated. Traditionally, this plant has often been used as an alternative to treat various diseases, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. This makes many researchers want to confirm it scientifically.
Unfortunately, until now there has been no research that fully examines the benefits of mulberry leaves for human health. Existing research is generally carried out using test animals or laboratory tests.
So, when you want to try consuming it, you should still consult a doctor first to avoid risks and side effects that could harm your health.
