Lemon balm reduces some cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic subjects.
The purpose of this randomized and placebo-controlled study was to examine the effects of a lemon balm supplementation in subjects with type 2 diabetes. 62 patients have been recruited and have received for 12 weeks either a placebo or a lemon balm capsule (1400 mg/day).
Results showed that lemon balm had significant effects on fasting blood glucose (p = 0.007), HbA1c (p = 0.002), triglycerides (p = 0.04), HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.05), hs-CRP (p = 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04). No change in total and LDL-cholesterol, insulin and insulin sensitivity have been noted.
These results suggest that lemon balm may improve the metabolic status of type 2 diabetic patients, reducing probably the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Asadi A, Shidfar F, Safari M, Hosseini AF, Fallah Huseini H, Heidari I, Rajab A. Efficacy of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2018 Dec 10.