8 Health Benefits of Mulberry Leaves

Mulberry leaves are commonly known in Vietnam, particularly among those who raise silkworms for silk production.  Beyond this, mulberry leaves have long been used in traditional Eastern medicine for making beverages and treating ailments.  What exactly are the benefits of mulberry leaves?  Let’s explore the eight health benefits of mulberry leaves in this article!

Fresh or dried mulberry leaves are frequently brewed into tea by Vietnamese people.  These leaves contain numerous nutrients, including free amino acids (phenylalanine, alanine, leucine, sarcosine, etc.), proteins, vitamins (C, B1, D), and organic acids. With these nutrients, mulberry leaves provide the following eight benefits:

1.    Blood Sugar Control

Mulberry leaves contain compounds that help lower blood sugar levels and combat diabetes.  Among these, deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is the most potent glucose-lowering compound. DNJ, which has a similar structure to glucose, blocks the absorption of starches and sugars—substances that contribute to high blood sugar levels.

Additionally, DNJ helps reduce high blood sugar and insulin levels, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar.

2.  Lipid Reduction

Lipid metabolism disorders increase blood viscosity and hinder blood flow through capillaries, potentially leading to blockages, heart attacks, and strokes.  Mulberry leaves contain flavonoids, which reduce blood viscosity and enhance capillary function. These compounds also improve lipid profiles, helping to prevent strokes.

Extracts from mulberry leaves, rich in DNJ, quercetin, and kaempferol, promote the oxidation of free fatty acids and lipids.

3.    Anti-Obesity Properties

Mulberry leaf extract reduces triglycerides, significantly lowers the number of fat cells, and decreases the size of lipid droplets in cells.

Moreover, prolonged consumption of mulberry leaves has been shown to gradually increase circulat so I ing levels of adiponectin, a cytokine that combats fat accumulation, reduces obesity, and inhibits the maturation of fat cells.

4.    Blood Pressure Regulation

Mulberry leaves may help lower blood pressure by inhibiting the production of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which regulates blood pressure.

Research has found that mulberry leaf extract reduces ACE activity by up to 95%, helping to lower blood pressure.  While these studies have primarily been conducted on animals, further research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

5.    Antioxidant Effects

Mulberry leaves are rich in flavonoid antioxidants, which combat free radicals—compounds that increase cancer risk.  Studies show that mulberry leaves reduce inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and oxidative stress markers like superoxide dismutase.

Additionally, in vitro studies on human white blood cells reveal that mulberry leaves reduce inflammatory proteins and significantly mitigate DNA damage caused by oxidative stress.

6.    Atherosclerosis Prevention

Mulberry leaves contain polyphenols, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids that combat atherosclerosis.  Regular use improves liver function, reduces plaque burden, and lowers serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The leaves also enhance endothelial function and reduce arterial plaque.

7.    Cardiovascular Protection

In addition to preventing atherosclerosis, mulberry leaf extracts improve heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.  A study involving 23 individuals with high cholesterol showed that after 12 weeks, LDL (bad cholesterol) decreased by 5.6%, while HDL (good cholesterol) increased by 19.7%.

8.    Improved Sleep

Mulberry leaf tea can help combat insomnia due to its beneficial compounds, such as carotene, tannins, choline, trigonelline, pentosan, calcium, and adenosine.  These active ingredients relax the body, reduce stress and fatigue, and promote restful sleep.

Conclusion

These are the eight remarkable health benefits of mulberry leaves. We hope this article helps you better understand their advantages and inspires you to incorporate them into your lifestyle to protect your health and that of your loved ones.