The Effects of Natural Phytonutrients on Weight Loss and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17504332Keywords:
Phytochemicals, glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, weight management, polyphenolsAbstract
The aim of this review is to examine the effects of natural phytochemicals on weight management and glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes in the light of recent literature. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Keywords such as “phytochemicals,” “glycemic control,” “flavonoids,” “polyphenols,” “insulin sensitivity,” and “weight loss” were used, and only full-text studies published in English or Turkish were included. The selected studies were thematically classified under the following categories: effects of flavonoids and polyphenols, glycemic index and glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and secretion, and energy balance and metabolic parameters. The findings were summarized through comparative tables and figures to highlight both consistent trends and differing results across studies. The analysis revealed that certain phytochemicals, particularly cinnamon, turmeric, blueberry, green tea, and polyphenol-rich compounds, have the potential to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce HbA1c levels, and support weight reduction. These results suggest that phytochemicals may be useful as functional components in individualized nutrition strategies and complementary approaches to diabetes management.
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