Natural products may improve blood sugar and cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetes
Last updated May 26, 2026
Key finding
This review of nine randomized trials suggests several natural products may improve blood glucose, HbA1c, lipids, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes, but results vary across products and studies are generally small.
This paper reviewed nine randomized trials of natural products in people with type 2 diabetes, including ginseng, cocoa flavanols, lemon balm, and several oils. Many studies reported better blood sugar and cardiovascular risk markers, but effects were not uniform across products. The evidence is promising but still limited by small and heterogeneous trials.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Low
Study type
Systematic Review
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This review of nine randomized trials suggests several natural products may improve blood glucose, HbA1c, lipids, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes, but results vary across products and studies are generally small.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Shrivastav D, Kumbhakar SK, Srivastava S, Singh DD. Natural product-based treatment potential for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. World J Diabetes. 2024;15(7):1603-1614. doi:10.4239/wjd.v15.i7.1603
Main Effects
HbA1c ↓ in several included natural-product RCTs
Blood glucose markers ↓ in multiple studies, with variable magnitude
Cardiometabolic risk markers (lipids, blood pressure, hs-CRP) showed mixed-to-positive shifts
Evidence Suggest
- The review included nine randomized human trials and reported favorable trends for several natural products.
- Effects were not uniform across all interventions and outcomes.
- Small sample sizes and heterogeneous protocols reduced overall certainty.
Who this applies to
Adults with type 2 diabetes in outpatient settings
Keep in Mind
This paper synthesizes multiple trials rather than testing one new intervention directly.
Between the Lines
- Systematic review design, not a single primary intervention trial
- Heterogeneous interventions, doses, and outcomes
- Generally small trial sizes
- Limited standardization for pooled interpretation
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