(Photo : stevepb)
Mankai plant helps reduce sugar levels

New research shows that an aquatic plant can significantly lower blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes like some medications.

The study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that consumption of Mankai, a cultivated aquatic duckweed plant, after meals can lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

During the one-month trial, researchers from Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev assigned 45 patients with type 2 diabetesin Israel to drink either 300 ml Mankai juice or water after dinner. Researchers used both glucose sensors and laboratory tests to observe blood glucose levels in the participants.

At the end of the study, participants taking the Mankai drink experienced a 20 percent drop in their post-meal blood sugar levels compared to those who were drinking water. They found that Mankai was as effective as some medicines used to treat diabetes.

The findings come at a time when more and more people across the world are being affected exponentially by diabetes. About 422 million people worldwide are affected by diabetesand it kills 1.5 million people every year, according to World Health Organization.

Researchers described the findings as promising. "This finding introduces a promising new option for managing diabetes and reducing associated complications," Dr. Gal Tsaban, who conducted the study along with Prof. Iris Shai and prof. Amir Tirosh said in a statement.

Mankai, also known as Wolffia globosa, is considered as a superfood with high nutritional value. The aquatic plant of the duckweed family is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, dietary fiber, vitamin B12, polyphenols, folate, choline and protein.  It is regularly consumed by people in Thailand and other Southeastern countries from a long time and has also been sold in US as a food ingredient since 2019.

Earlier research has shown the role of Mankai in improving post meal blood sugar levels in non-diabetic individuals.This plant, which grows naturally in water, has also proved its ability to improve both brain and vascular health, and lower abdominal and liver fat. This superfood, also known as the vegetable meatball, has also been known to fight cholesterol and blood pressure.