Berries are one of the most popular fruits. Although its original home is China, it is now grown in many countries of the world. The Moraceae family includes several types of berries such as blueberries, red berries, blackberries, and white berries. Just as berries have many benefits, mulberry leaf has also been widely known for its health and therapeutic benefits. This is what we will discuss in this article.

Berry leaf

Mulberry leaves are very nutritious, as they are rich in many beneficial plant compounds such as polyphenols, vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Which made it many uses in the field of cooking, and medical prescriptions.

Nutritional value of dried mulberry leaves

Of the nutritional values ​​that dried mulberry leaf powder contains:
Water: from 5.11% to 7.24%
Protein: from 15.31% to 30.91%
Fat: from 2.09% to 4.93%
Carbohydrates: from 9.70% to 29.64%
Calories: from 113 to 224 kcal / 100 gm.
Vitamin C and beta-carotene: 160 to 280 mg / 100 gm

Mulberry leaf uses

Often used to make dyes.
It is used to make herbal tea.
Small mulberry leaves can be eaten after cooking.
Drink raspberry tea, which is extracted from mulberry leaf.

Benefits of mulberry leaf

1- Anti-inflammatory

Where mulberry leaf contains many anti-inflammatory compounds such as flavonoids. This helps to treat inflammation and oxidative stress, which is caused by an imbalance in the oxidative system.

2-Promoting liver health

Some laboratory research, which was conducted on animals, has shown that mulberry leaves may help protect liver cells from damage. It also succeeded in reducing liver infections.

3-Maintain skin tone

Some studies have found that mulberry leaf extracts help combat hyperpigmentation (dark skin patches), and naturally lighten discoloration.

4-Fighting diabetes

Deoxynojirimycin inhibits the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which helps lower blood sugar and insulin levels. A study conducted on people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 1 gm of mulberry leaf extract 3 times a day with meals led to a significant decrease in post-meal blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before use for diabetics to monitor its effects on sugar levels.

5- Promotes heart health

Some studies indicate that mulberry leaf extract may enhance heart health by lowering levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides, lowering blood pressure, inflammation and cell damage, and preventing atherosclerosis, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Also read: Cholesterol treatment: your way to protect your heart

6-mulberry leaf and weight loss

Deoxynojirimycin blocks the enzyme that digests carbohydrates in the intestines. This prevents the starchy foods you eat that are rich in carbohydrates such as bread, rice and pasta from being converted into glucose, and gets rid of them instead. This leads to less hunger, and thus weight loss.

Cautions when using

Mulberry leaf is considered safe when used, but some side effects may appear in some cases that have taken nutritional supplements, and examples of these symptoms are:

• diarrhea
• Nausea
• constipation
• bloating

It is also not recommended to eat berries before and after surgeries, because it affects blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is recommended to stop using it at least two weeks before the date of any surgery.

And if you want to get medical advice: You can talk now with a certified doctor.