Changes in glucose and lipid profile after consumption of malunggay (Moringa oleifera) leaves products in humans with moderately raised serum glucose and cholesterol levels.

BACKGROUND:Malunggay(Moringa oleifera)was considered a promising functional food because of the many nutrients, minerals and vitamins present in its leaves, seeds and bark.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant capacity in humans with moderately raised serum glucose and cholesterol levels after consumption of malunggay leaves supplemented-food products.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Test foods are buns, fish sausage and veggie soup with and without malunggay leaves powder. Thirty-eight participants were randomly grouped into control and experimental, given foods without and with malunggay. The total amount of dietary fiber containing malunggay leaves powder was 14.4 g while without malunggay was 9.3 g.
RESULTS: Serum blood glucose from baseline to endline for the control group was still considered moderately raised (6.2 to 5.6 mmol/L) while in the experimental group resulted from moderately raised (5.8 mmol/L) to normal serum glucose (5.0 mmol/L; P<0.05). Hemoglobin A1C measurements were within the normal limits for both groups. A decreasing trend in TC and LDL-C, and an increasing trend in HDL-C and antioxidant capacity were observed in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION: Malunggay leaves supplemented-food products decreased fasting blood sugar and may have a promising effect for cholesterol-lowering.