Researchers reviewed studies on natural plant substances that might help your body handle sugar and fat better after eating. These plant compounds, called antinutrients, work by slowing down how quickly your body breaks down and absorbs carbohydrates and fats from food. The review found that four special plant compounds—betulinic acid, vaticanol A, vaticanol E, and berberine—showed promise in animal studies for helping with both high blood sugar and high cholesterol at the same time. While these findings are exciting, scientists say we need more human studies to prove these plants are safe and effective for people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether natural plant compounds can help reduce the spike in blood sugar and fat levels that happens after eating meals
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research studies, not a new experiment with people. Scientists looked at hundreds of studies about plant-based compounds and their effects on blood sugar and cholesterol
  • Key finding: Four plant compounds (betulinic acid, vaticanol A, vaticanol E, and berberine) appeared to help control both high blood sugar and high cholesterol in animal studies by slowing down how the body digests carbohydrates and fats
  • What it means for you: These plant compounds might eventually become natural alternatives to help manage blood sugar and cholesterol, but they’re not ready for everyday use yet. Much more testing in humans is needed before doctors can recommend them

The Research Details

Scientists conducted a narrative review, which means they searched through thousands of published research papers about plant compounds and their effects on blood sugar and fat levels. They used three major scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus) to find relevant studies. They included studies done in test tubes (in vitro), in cells, and in animals, but excluded studies that only used computer predictions without real experiments. The researchers looked at how different plant compounds work by blocking or slowing down the enzymes and processes your body uses to digest carbohydrates and fats.

This type of review is important because it brings together all the available evidence about natural plant compounds in one place. Rather than looking at just one study, reviewing many studies helps scientists see which plant compounds show the most promise and which ones need more research. This approach helps identify the best candidates for future human testing.

This is a narrative review, which means it’s a summary of existing research rather than a new experiment. The strength of the findings depends on the quality of the studies reviewed. The researchers were careful to exclude studies that only used computer models, which means they focused on real experimental evidence. However, most studies reviewed were done in animals or test tubes, not in humans, so the results may not directly apply to people. More human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The review identified many plant compounds that can slow down how your body digests and absorbs sugar and fat from food. These compounds work by blocking or reducing the activity of enzymes that break down carbohydrates and fats in your digestive system. When these enzymes work slower, your blood sugar and cholesterol don’t spike as high after meals. Four compounds stood out as particularly promising: betulinic acid, vaticanol A, vaticanol E, and berberine. These four compounds showed the ability to help with both high blood sugar and high cholesterol problems at the same time in animal studies. The researchers also found that these compounds may work by affecting a protein called COX-2, which is involved in inflammation and metabolic problems.

The review found that plant antinutrients can work through several different mechanisms. Some block the enzymes that break down carbohydrates (amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors), while others block the enzymes that break down fats (pancreatic lipase inhibitors). Some compounds also appear to slow down how quickly sugar is absorbed through the intestinal walls. The fact that certain compounds can address both blood sugar and cholesterol problems simultaneously is particularly interesting because many people struggle with both conditions at the same time.

This review builds on decades of research into how plants can affect digestion and metabolism. Scientists have known for years that certain plant compounds can influence blood sugar and cholesterol levels. What’s new here is the focus on identifying which specific plant compounds are most effective and understanding how they work at the molecular level. The research suggests that natural plant compounds might work similarly to some prescription medications that are already used to manage blood sugar and cholesterol.

The biggest limitation is that most studies reviewed were done in animals or test tubes, not in humans. What works in a mouse or in a laboratory dish doesn’t always work the same way in people. The review didn’t include studies that only used computer predictions, which was a good decision for quality, but it may have missed some potentially useful compounds. The researchers also noted that we don’t know the right doses for humans, whether these compounds are safe for long-term use, or how they might interact with medications. Many of the plant compounds haven’t been tested for side effects in people yet.

The Bottom Line

At this time, these plant compounds should not be used as replacements for prescribed medications for blood sugar or cholesterol management. However, they may be worth watching as research continues. If you’re interested in plant-based approaches to health, talk to your doctor before trying any new supplements. The evidence is moderate for animal studies but very limited for humans, so confidence in these recommendations is currently low. More human clinical trials are needed before these compounds can be recommended for everyday use.

People with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol should be interested in this research because it offers hope for natural treatment options. However, they should not stop taking prescribed medications based on this review. People interested in preventive health and natural approaches to wellness may also find this relevant. This research is probably not relevant yet for people with normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels, since the compounds haven’t been proven safe or effective in humans.

Based on animal studies, effects on blood sugar and cholesterol might appear within hours to days of taking these compounds with meals. However, we don’t know if this would be true in humans. Long-term benefits for weight management or disease prevention would likely take weeks to months to become noticeable. It’s important to remember that these timelines are based on animal research and may not apply to people.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your blood sugar levels (if you have a glucose monitor) or your energy levels and hunger patterns 1-2 hours after meals. Note which foods you eat and how you feel afterward. This will help you understand your personal response to different meals and identify patterns.
  • Start by adding more plant-based foods rich in natural compounds to your diet—foods like berries, green tea, turmeric, and cinnamon. These foods contain some of the compounds discussed in this research. Use the app to log these foods and monitor how they affect your energy levels and hunger between meals.
  • Create a simple log in the app that tracks: (1) meals eaten, (2) energy level 1-2 hours after eating (on a scale of 1-10), (3) hunger level before the next meal, and (4) any digestive symptoms. Over 4-8 weeks, look for patterns in which foods or combinations help you feel better and more stable.

This review summarizes research on plant compounds and their potential effects on blood sugar and cholesterol levels. However, most studies reviewed were conducted in animals or laboratory settings, not in humans. These plant compounds are not approved by the FDA as medications and should not be used as replacements for prescribed diabetes or cholesterol medications. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, high cholesterol, or any other medical condition, consult with your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements or making significant dietary changes. Some plant compounds may interact with medications or cause side effects in certain people. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.