Diabetes Mellitus

Nutrients connected to Diabetes Mellitus

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials suggest lower blood sugar markers, but many were low quality. Fenugreek does not replace diabetes treatment.

• BarberryPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials in type 2 diabetes show lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in some analyses; evidence is limited and mixed. Not a replacement for prescribed treatment.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  Small supplement trials suggest lower blood sugar markers, but many were low quality. Fenugreek does not replace diabetes treatment.

• DatesPreliminary or mixed

  60 g a day did not worsen glycemic control in a 12-week trial in type 2 diabetes; no improvement was seen either.

• Dried fenugreek leaf (kasuri methi)Preliminary or mixed

  Small supplement trials suggest lower blood sugar markers, but many were low quality. Fenugreek does not replace diabetes treatment. Based on seed studies, not dried leaf.

• ChyawanprashDocumented risk

  Contains sugar and honey; reviewers say it is generally considered contraindicated in diabetes, and the one small study in type 2 diabetes had design problems.

• Holy basil (tulsi)Preliminary or mixed

  A small single-blind trial in type 2 diabetes reported lower glucose. Evidence is limited and it does not replace diabetes care.

• CordycepsDocumented risk

  May add to the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin and other diabetes medicines; clinical relevance unknown (MSK).

• Poria (fu ling)Preliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis of formulas containing Fuling added to medicines for type 2 diabetes reported lower fasting glucose; most studies were at risk of bias and the effect cannot be credited to poria alone.

• Caterpillar fungusDocumented risk

  May add to the blood-sugar-lowering effect of diabetes medicines; clinical relevance unknown (MSK).

• King tuber mushroomLab or animal research only

  Traditional use in southern Nigeria; a water extract lowered glucose in diabetic rabbits. No human trial was found.

• Orange cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)Documented risk

  MSK says cordyceps may add to blood-sugar medicines (wild species); unresolved for C. militaris.

• Chamomile TeaPreliminary or mixed

  One trial of chamomile tea in type 2 diabetes lowered HbA1c versus water; not a treatment.

• Black Seed Oil (Nigella)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show small average improvements in glucose markers; not a treatment for diabetes.

• Navy BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pulse-containing diets lowered fasting glucose and long-term markers in pooled trials; not a treatment.

• White Beans (Cannellini & Great Northern)Preliminary or mixed

  Pulse-containing diets lowered fasting glucose and long-term markers in pooled trials; not a treatment.

• Lima BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pulse-containing diets lowered fasting glucose and long-term markers in pooled trials; not a treatment.

• Mung BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pulse-containing diets lowered fasting glucose and long-term markers in pooled trials; not a treatment.

• Adzuki BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Pulse-containing diets lowered fasting glucose and long-term markers in pooled trials; not a treatment.

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