Effect of royal jelly intake on serum glucose, HbA1c, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind clinical trial study

Type 2 diabetes melitus (DM) is highly prevalent worldwide. Evidence supports a role for royal jelly in reduction of serum glucose and lipids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of royal jelly intake on serum glucose، HbA1c، and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in type 2 diabetic patients. Fifty patients with type 2 DM participated in a double-blind، placebo-controlled، 8-weeks study. The patients with type 2 DM were divided randomly into placebo and royal jelly groups of 25 each. Both groups received the treatment for 8 weeks. In royal jelly group participants received three 1000 mg royal jelly capsules daily and placebo group received three 1000 mg placebo capsules daily. Blood samples were taken after 12 hours of fasting at the beginning and the end of the study. Serum glucose، HbA1c، and TAC were evaluated. Forty six participants completed the study. Royal jelly intake reduced FBS levels (p=0. 006) and increased TAC (p=0. 016) significantly after 8 weeks compared with placebo. Royal jelly did not affect serum HbA1c levels. This study shows that royal jelly has some benefits in type 2 diabetic patients.