Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Resveratrol supplementation improved blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in 62 participants with type 2 diabetes.
A total of 25.8 million people in the United States have diabetes (2). Diabetes has multiple complications, especially related to cardiovascular disease and often leads to premature death (1). Resveratrol is an antioxidant most often associated with wine, grapes and peanuts. Recent research found that resveratrol is effective in improving glycemic control in diabetics (1).
The study included 62 participants clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomized to receive 250 mg of resveratrol (n=30) or placed in a control group (n=32). All participants continued taking their oral hypoglycemic agents (metformin, glibenclamide or a combination of the two) and none of the participants were taking injections of insulin (1).
After 3-months, participants in the resveratrol group had significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c*, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and total protein. The resveratrol group also had decreases in LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure, although the findings were not statistically significant. Values in the control group did not change or worsened during the study. No significant changes were seen in weight or HDL cholesterol in any of the groups.
The numerical values for the statistically significant improvements stated above are as follows:
- The average hemoglobin A1c decreased (9.99 +/- 1.50% vs. 9.56 +/- 1.54%; P<0.05).
- Systolic blood pressure decreased (139.71 +/- 16.10 mmHg vs. 127.92 +/- 15.37 mmHg; P<0.05).
- Total cholesterol decreased (4.70 +/- 0.90 mmol/L vs. 4.33 +/- 0.76mmol/L; P<0.05).
- Total protein decreased (75.6 +/- 4.6 g/dL vs. 72.3 +/-6.2 g/dL; P<0.05).
In conclusion, resveratrol supplementation improved blood sugar control and cardiovascular risk factors in participants with type 2 diabetes. This was the first study to evaluate resveratrol supplementation in Indians with type 2 diabetes. Future studies with more participants and over longer durations are currently underway to verify results.
Source: Bhatt, Jayesh Kumar, Sabin Thomas, and Moola Joghee Nanjan. “Resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.” Nutrition research 32.7 (2012): 537-541.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted August 21, 2012.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
*Hemoglobin A1C is a marker for prior blood glucose levels.
References:
- Bhatt J, et al. Resveratrol supplementation improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. 2012 Nutr Research. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2012.06.003.
- Diabetes Statistics. American Diabetes Association.
