According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes.
The report finds that as of 2015, 30.3 million Americans "“ 9.4 percent of the U.S. population "“have diabetes. Another 84.1 million have prediabetes, a condition that if not treated often leads to type 2 diabetes within five years.
I recently learned something new, as I struggled to manage my diabetic diet. It turns out that not too many people are aware of the health benefits of mango leaves. Were you?
Mango Leaves And Diabetes
A 2010 study by K. A. Shah, M. B. Patel, R. J. Patel, and P. K. Parmar explains, "According to ayurveda (a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent), varied medicinal properties are attributed to different parts of mango tree." The research concludes, "Studies indicate mango possesses antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, cardiotonic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory properties," and suggests additional research and further study to confirm the initial encouraging findings, which include the lowering of blood pressure and the management of diabetes.
The same study also found that animals given the mango extract absorbed less glucose through their gastrointestinal tract, lowering their blood sugar levels.
What I took all my online research and reading to mean is that leaves from a mango (in particular young leaves) may contain types of flavonoid or anti-oxidants that have been found by many to be effective in treating diabetes in its early stages. The leaves contain a compound called taraxerol 3-beta and ethyl acetate extract that stimulates the synthesis of glycogen. People often consume the leaves in powdered form or in an infusion. Some have found relief in alleviating diabetic symptoms by making a tea. If you want to make it yourself you can purchase fresh mango leaves online or at most organic markets. Then put the leaves in water overnight, in the morning strain the leaves and drink the water. It seems you can consume hot or cold. If you don't feel like preparing your own - you can also purchase the tea on Amazon.
I took all of my reading with a grain of salt. Under no circumstances would I consider this as an alternative to modern medicine. I more though that if some good could be gained from potentially drinking tea - it might be worth a shot.