Mulberry in diabetes: benefits and harms

One of the effective tools to help fight diabetes is the mulberry known to all of us. Southern thermophilic tree gives sweet and tasty fruits, but not only berries are valuable for diabetics. Powder from different parts of the plant helps lower blood sugar, fights diabetes-related ailments and keeps the body toned. Read on about the benefits of mulberry and its herbs for diabetes.

Valuable plant composition and distinguishing characteristics

Of all the healing berries, mulberry fruits are soft, delicate sweetness and low acid level. A delicate plant is rich not only in vitamins and minerals, but also in plant protein.

It is interesting! Centuries ago, mulberry was used in China to feed silkworm caterpillars, which, thanks to such an easy and satisfying diet, produced selected silk fiber.

Mulberry grows wild and cultivated. Free-growing trees reach several meters in height, and cultured dwarf varieties develop a “weeping” type of branches. Mulberry berries are reddish-black - more acidic and lilac-white - with a pleasant delicate sweetness.

The composition of the plant and its fruits includes:

1. Vitamins of group B, B2 is especially important, which is responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates and the balance of blood glucose levels.
2. Vitamins A, E, PP, C, and K.
3. Such minerals are iron, manganese, selenium, copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and sodium.
4. Pantothenic, as well as folic acid.
5. Pyridoxine.
6. Choline.
7. Resveratrol antioxidant.

Mulberry has a low glycemic index, as well as a low content of aggressive fruit acids, due to which it does not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and is indicated for use even for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis, and high acidity. At the same time, the berry is rich in protein and simple carbohydrates, which well satisfy hunger and saturate the body.

What is useful for mulberry in general and diabetes

1. Mulberry has a healing effect in inflammatory and colds, helping to relieve headaches, producing an expectorant and antipyretic effect. The antiseptic substances of the plant and vitamin E in its composition help to relieve inflammation and accelerate the regeneration of healthy tissues.
2. Mulberry is also useful for problems with pressure. It perfectly strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helps fight varicose veins, atony, hypertension and strengthens the heart muscle. Dark mulberries, rich in iron, will especially help people with anemia.
3. Speaking about the benefits for diabetics, it should be noted that the plant does not directly stimulate the pancreas and insulin production, therefore, for patients with type 1 diabetes, the berry is useful as a general strengthening agent. But for diabetics with type 2 disease, its ability to neutralize blood sugar and all the associated properties will be very valuable.
4. Vitamin B2 plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism and significantly reduces sugar levels. The constant use of the products that are its source helps diabetics to feel better and improve the condition of the skin and other tissues, protecting them from the destructive effects of glucose.
5. Mulberry will have a mild diuretic effect, help remove salts from the body, and relieve joint pain. Berry can be saved from constipation and hemorrhoids.The antioxidant properties of the plant help to cleanse and strengthen the skin, improve complexion, protect against free radicals and prevent the development of pathogenic formations in the body.
6. Still white mulberry is used in the treatment of the genitourinary system and diseases of the prostate. The berry relieves inflammation and helps restore masculine strength.
7. Among other things, mulberries are rich in fiber, and their hard grains act on the body like cereal bran, cleansing the intestines and normalizing digestion, which will be useful to everyone, including diabetics.

Contraindications: can mulberry harm?

Mulberry tree is one of the completely harmless plants; in extremely rare cases, it causes individual intolerance and allergic reactions. Delicate mulberry berries usually do not cause bloating, do not irritate the stomach, do not provoke heartburn, and even vice versa - they can stop it. Therefore, mulberry can be introduced even in the diet of small children.

Of the negative effects, only the coloring properties of the juice of a plant rich in iron and manganese can be noted. It is desirable to collect the berry in gloves, the juice is difficult to remove from the skin and clothing, and can also affect tooth enamel. Therefore, after eating berries, rinse your mouth with water.

You should always be careful with herbal products that are high in potassium for people with kidney problems. With urolithiasis, decoctions and infusions of mulberry may have an undesirable effect, so consult your doctor before starting self-medication.

Applying medicinal decoctions from the "inedible" parts of the plant, you need to remember about a healthy dosage and not overdo it in self-medication. Poisoning with plant and wood juices can cause nausea, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, fever and skin rashes. Eating mulberry foods in moderation usually does not have any side effects.

How to use mulberry in diabetes

Berries
The fruits are ground in mashed potatoes, get juices, live jam. However, mulberry is a light summer berry. Usually it is not canned, it does not need sweeteners and is tasty in itself. Therefore, diabetics may like compote or juice from mulberries, as well as fresh fruits instead of dessert.

To preserve a generous mulberry crop for a long time, it is dried. This can be done in a natural way in a warm, ventilated area, as well as in an oven or electric dryer. In this form, the berries preserve their healing properties and can be used to brew a hot drink, added to porridge or milk dessert.

Good to know: Mulberry - both its berries and greens - should not be mixed with tea brewing, as the tannin contained in tea counteracts the healing properties of the berry. Drinks from this plant are best brewed without additives.

Mulberry Powder
Significantly contributes to the recovery of a unique nutritional supplement of mulberry powder. They cook it at home, but you can find such a drug on sale. Buy powdered medicinal herbs only at a pharmacy - unscrupulous sellers may offer completely different plants under the guise of a declared drug.

To prepare the mulberry powder at home, you need to dry the buds, foliage and fresh shoots of the plant. Mulberry usually dries well, both indoors and in the oven. In this case, it is best to set the temperature to 40-45 degrees and not close the door tightly.

Dried greens begin to crumble very easily. You can grind the drug into powder in a coffee grinder, in a mortar or manually. If desired, the leaves can be crushed to a powder consistency or coarser particles can be left.

Such a mixture is simply added to the food as seasoning. It has no pronounced smell or taste, and does not spoil the dish.In this case, the mulberry powder will bring great benefits to the body, controlling the glycemic index of the blood composition, protecting the vessels from destruction and having an antiseptic effect.

The benefits of tree bark, roots and shoots
From a dry root or upper layer of the mulberry bark, a decoction is made to improve the well-being of diabetes. Chopped or ground root is taken in proportions of 1 tsp. into a glass of water, add to boiling water and boil for 20 minutes, after which they insist on drinking another hour and a half. Drink such a decoction in half a glass of 2 or 3 per day for 4 weeks.

Young dried shoots that are previously freed from leaves and cut into 3 cm cubes are brewed like this:

1. 3-4 sticks of sprouts pour 450 ml of cool water.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and boil for about 10 minutes.
4. The broth is insisted while it cools, then it is filtered through dense cheesecloth and they drink such a portion a little all day. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

So that the broth does not seem tasteless, you can add a little honey or fructose.

Mulberry Tea
To maintain the body in good shape with diabetes, it is recommended to drink tea from young mulberry leaves. To do this, washed and chopped greens are poured with boiling water immediately in a thermos and left for several hours, or the leaves are boiled for about 5 minutes in a water bath.

Drink the drink warm 30 minutes before eating, continue the course for several weeks in the spring or summer, when there is access to young mulberry foliage. If desired, you can sweeten the tea with natural honey.

To prepare a delicious fruit tea from the mulberries, take 2 tablespoons of the fruit, mash them in mashed potatoes and pour 250 ml of boiling water. The mixture is infused for 3-4 hours, after which it is slowly drunk in one sitting. Filter it is not worth it, because the useful fiber of the berry shells will contribute to proper digestion and will be useful for health. Such tea can be drunk regularly, it will have a positive preventive and therapeutic effect on the body, especially with diabetes.

It is important to know: all homemade drugs - decoctions, infusions and freshly squeezed juices must be consumed within 1 day, if there are no other warnings. Only a fresh product benefits the body.

Video: the use of mulberry in diabetes