Ecklonia Cava Lowers Blood Sugar After Meals
Quick Summary: Research suggests that taking Ecklonia cava, a type of seaweed, can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels after eating a meal. This study found that a single dose of Ecklonia cava extract reduced the blood sugar spike after a high-carb meal in healthy adults.
What The Research Found
The study showed that people who took Ecklonia cava had lower blood sugar and insulin levels after eating compared to those who didn't. This means Ecklonia cava might help your body handle sugar better after a meal.
Study Details
- Who was studied: 24 healthy adults (men and women) aged 20-40.
- How long: The study involved two separate sessions, each with a different treatment, separated by a week.
- What they took: Participants took either a 300mg dose of Ecklonia cava extract or a placebo (a dummy pill) before eating a high-carb meal.
What This Means For You
If you're looking for ways to manage your blood sugar, Ecklonia cava might be something to consider. It could help reduce the blood sugar spike after meals. However, it's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you have diabetes or are taking medication for blood sugar control.
Study Limitations
This study was small, and only looked at healthy adults. We don't know if the results would be the same for people with diabetes or other health conditions. Also, the study only looked at the effects of a single dose, so we don't know the long-term effects of taking Ecklonia cava.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
This study demonstrated that a single 300 mg dose of Ecklonia cava polyphenol extract significantly reduced postprandial glucose and insulin responses in healthy adults after a high-carbohydrate meal. The primary outcome showed a 15.2% reduction in glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUC; p=0.012) and a 21.3% reduction in insulin iAUC (p=0.003) compared to placebo. Peak glucose levels were also 12.4% lower (p=0.021). The authors concluded that Ecklonia cava polyphenols may improve acute glycemic control.
Study Design
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 24 healthy adults (12 males, 12 females; aged 20–40 years; BMI 18.5–25.0 kg/m²). Participants completed two test sessions (supplement vs. placebo) separated by a 7-day washout period. In each session, fasting blood samples were collected, followed by administration of the intervention 30 minutes before a standardized high-carbohydrate meal (80 g carbohydrates). Blood glucose and insulin were
Original Study Reference
Influence of Supplementation of
Source: PubMed
Published: 2024-01-01
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 37594112)
