Glycemic Response to Karamuting Leaves Tea in Healthy Adults: Does a Family History of Diabetes Matter?

Abstract

Herbal tea is tea that does not come from Camelia sinensis tea leaves.  Research using animal models has shown that herbal tea made from Karamunting leaves (Melastoma malabathricum) exhibits antidiabetic properties, acting as an antioxidant and antihyperglycemic agent. However, its efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels in healthy individuals is unproven. Therefore, this study aims to obtain the blood glucose response of healthy respondents without and with a hereditary history of diabetes mellitus after administering a glucose load and herbal tea from Karamunting leaves (KHT). This study was conducted on two groups of respondents aged 30-35 years with normal fasting blood glucose levels (70-110mg/dL). The KHT was administered shortly after the respondent was given glucose (75g). According to the findings, the KHT may reduce glucose levels to normal in respondents without a family history of diabetes at the 150th minute, as well as in respondents with a family history of diabetes at the 180th minute. The KHT efficiently prevents the increase in blood glucose levels in individuals without genetic diabetes mellitus and lowers blood glucose levels for individuals with hereditary diabetic mellitus. Adding spices or additional ingredients to karamunting leaf tea may enhance its antihyperglycemic abilities.