Onion Extract Shown to Reduce Blood Sugar by 50% When Combined with Metformin in Rats
A commonly available vegetable has shown promising results in lowering blood sugar levels by as much as 50% when used alongside a widely prescribed diabetes drug, according to a study. This discovery could have significant implications for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, a condition that currently affects one in ten people over the age of 40 in the UK.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly regulate blood sugar, leading to dangerously high levels. However, findings presented at The Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting in San Diego in 2015 suggest that onion extract may have a beneficial effect on both blood sugar and cholesterol levels when used in conjunction with metformin, a common antidiabetic drug.
The study, led by Anthony Ojieh from Delta State University in Nigeria, tested the effects of onion extract on rats with diabetes. Three groups of diabetic rats were given varying doses of the extract—200mg, 400mg, and 600mg per kilogram of body weight—along with metformin. The results were striking, with the rats receiving the higher doses of onion extract (400mg and 600mg) experiencing a reduction in blood sugar levels by 50% and 35% respectively, compared to the baseline. Additionally, the extract was shown to lower total cholesterol levels in the diabetic rats.
While the extract had positive effects on the diabetic rats, it also led to weight gain in non-diabetic rats, suggesting a potential increase in metabolic rate. However, no weight gain was observed in the diabetic rats, prompting researchers to further explore the mechanism behind the blood glucose reduction.
Ojieh highlighted that onion is an inexpensive and accessible food source, making it a potentially valuable addition to diabetes treatment plans. He stated, “Onion is cheap and available and has been used as a nutritional supplement. It has the potential for use in treating patients with diabetes.”
This research underscores the ongoing exploration of natural ingredients in the management of diabetes, offering a hopeful outlook for supplementary treatments in conjunction with traditional medications like metformin.
