This double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of bitter melon, blueberry, and cranberry powder extract use on glycemic control and diabetes symptom levels in individuals with T2DM.
The increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) worldwide and the search for additional support to current treatments have increased interest in researching natural components such as bitter melon, blueberry, and cranberry, known for their antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential, as complementary therapies. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of bitter melon, blueberry, and cranberry powder extract use on glycemic control and diabetes symptom levels in individuals with T2DM. The study, conducted with four groups (bitter melon, blueberry, cranberry, and control), included 120 individuals diagnosed with T2DM. Individuals in the experimental group used 10g of powdered extract daily for 12 weeks, while those in the control group used nothing. The 'Patient Information Form' and 'Diabetes Symptoms Checklist Scale' were administered before the start of the study (pre-test/week 0) and at the end (post-test/week 12), and the venous blood value of the Hemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c) was measured. In the experimental groups (bitter melon, blueberry, cranberry), after 12 weeks of treatment, statistically significant decreases were observed in HbA1c, the total score and all Subdimensions scores of the 'Diabetes Symptoms Checklist Scale', weight, and BMI compared to the control group; while in the control group, there was a significant increase in all parameters except HbA1c (p\<0.05). Although there was no difference between the experimental (bitter melon, blueberry, cranberry) groups in the intergroup measurements, HbA1c, the total mean scores of the Diabetes Symptom Checklist Scale, weight, and BMI were found to be significantly lower than in the control group (p\<0.05). Bitter melon, blueberry, and cranberry powder extracts were found to be equally effective in reducing HbA1c, diabetes symptoms, weight, and BMI in T2DM patients. The lack of difference in efficacy between the three extracts in terms of glycemic and symptom levels suggests that these three natural products can be considered equivalent therapeutic options in the complementary treatment of T2DM.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
120
Patients who voluntarily used bitter melon powder extract continued to consume 1 teaspoon (10 g total) of powdered extract mixed with yogurt or water twice a day (morning and evening) for 12 weeks.
Patients who voluntarily used bitter blueberry powder extract continued to consume 1 teaspoon (10 g total) of powdered extract mixed with yogurt or water twice a day (morning and evening) for 12 weeks.
Patients who voluntarily used cranberry powder extract continued to consume 1 teaspoon (10 g total) of powdered extract mixed with yogurt or water twice a day (morning and evening) for 12 weeks.
Gümüşhane University
Gümüşhane, Turkey (Türkiye)
HbA1c
Unlike instant blood glucose values, HbA1c reliably reflects an individual's average blood sugar level over the past two to three months by measuring the amount of glucose bound to hemoglobin during the average lifespan of erythrocytes (approximately 120 days). Before starting the study (pre-test/week 0) HbA1c venous blood values were measured. Patients who voluntarily used bitter melon, blueberry, or cranberry continued to consume 1 teaspoon (10 g total) of powdered extract mixed with yogurt or water twice a day (morning and evening) for 12 weeks. At the end of the study (post-test/12th week), the was administered again to individuals HbA1c venous blood values were measured.
Time frame: 12 week
Diabetes Symptom Checklist Scale
The scale consists of a total of 34 items. These categories are: neurology (3, 11, 15, 21, 25, 34), psychology (1, 2, 4, 6, 17, 20), cardiology (5, 8, 9, 13, 24, 26, 29, 30), ophthalmology (10, 14, 22, 28), psychology/cognition (7, 19, 27, 31, 33), and hyperglycemia (12, 16, 23, 32) Subdimensionss. Responses on the scale are numbered from 0 to 5, with "0" meaning "none" and "5" meaning "extremely." Before starting the study (pre-test/week 0), all group participants first completed "Diabetes Symptom Checklist Scale" were measured. Patients who voluntarily used bitter melon, blueberry, or cranberry continued to consume 1 teaspoon (10 g total) of powdered extract mixed with yogurt or water twice a day (morning and evening) for 12 weeks. At the end of the study (post-test/12th week), the "Diabetes Symptom Checklist Scale" was administered again to individuals were measured.
Time frame: 12 week
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