How plant compounds convert diabetes from the intestine

Compounds found in common foods such as berries, teas and citrus fruits can help treat diabetes by affecting the gut hormones, according to emerging research. As the global diabetes rate continues to climb across a billion cases worldwide, scientists are turning to naturally occurring plant compounds, called flavonoids, for potential solutions.

Recent Comprehensive Comments Exploring medical research and hypotheses Revealing how these diverse plant-derived substances provide therapeutic benefits for type 2 diabetes through multiple pathways, especially by regulating the body’s enteroendocrine system – a network of hormone cells that produces our digestive tract.

“Type 2 diabetes is a common but complex metabolic disease with an increase in incidence over the past few decades,” the study authors noted. “Recent studies have identified flavonoids as compounds that can prevent and manage T2DM through various mechanisms.”

These mechanisms focus not only on traditional blood sugar regulation pathways, but also on fascinating intestinal connections that can extend treatment options beyond traditional medications.

Hidden control system of the intestine

Although the enteroendocrine system is not as familiar to most people as the pancreas, it plays a crucial role in metabolism. These specialized cells are scattered in our digestive tract and release more than twenty different hormones that affect the release of insulin and blood sugar control from appetite and digestion.

The key is hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which have recently gained prominence through drugs such as Semaglutide (Ozempic) and Tirzepatide. These hormones stimulate insulin release when blood sugar rises, the stomach is cleared slowly, and reduce appetite, which is beneficial for diabetes management.

What makes the new research particularly fascinating is its link between plant compounds in the diet and the same hormone pathways targeted by new diabetes drugs.

The rainbow of beneficial compounds

Flavonoids include a diverse phytochemical in which more than 10,000 identified compounds are classified into subclasses, including flavanols (found in tea and cocoa), anthocyanins (giving berries with bright colors) and isoflavones (rich in soy).

This review describes how specific flavonoids affect key gut hormones:

The cyanopeptide-3-O-glucoside found in dark berries increased GLP-1 levels in diabetic mice. This compound can promote GLP-1 secretion by regulating intestinal bacterial metabolism, especially by affecting short-chain fatty acids that support intestinal health.

Quercetin is present in onions and apples, which directly stimulates GLP-1 secretion. Laboratory studies have shown that it is most effective at a concentration of 50 µm, but only when glucose is present – suggesting that it works specifically when blood sugar may rise.

The researchers found that Spanish protein extracted from medicinal plants “directly stimulates L cells to release GLP-1 through the CAMP signaling pathway,” he noted, which “significantly improves glycemic control, insulin release, and beta-cell survival in diabetic mice.”

Even the familiar catechins of TEA seem to help regulate hormones called CCK and somatostatin, which control appetite and digestive function.

Beyond blood sugar

What makes flavonoids different from typical diabetes medications is their multifaceted approach. Although drug interventions usually target a single mechanism, flavonoids appear to function through multiple pathways at the same time.

Many flavonoids inhibit an enzyme called DPP-4, which destroys GLP-1, thereby prolonging its beneficial effects. Others affect the composition of gut bacteria, and some compounds reduce the ratio of businesses to bacterial leaf plant bacteria, a common imbalance among diabetic patients.

The researchers found that these compounds can even affect cell development in the intestine, with grape seed protein extract induced “cells in the oval organ differentiated into L cells, thereby increasing the secretion of PYY hormones by regulating the expression of early transcription factors such as the NeuroD1 gene.”

The combination of this effect may explain why dietary patterns rich in fruits, vegetables, and other flavonoid sources persistently correlated with lower risk of diabetes in population studies.

From food to pharmacy

Despite promising research, there are still some challenges in translating these findings into clinical applications. The study authors acknowledge that the chemical structure of flavonoids is “complex and variable” and that limited evidence links specific structural features to their anti-diabetic effects.

Furthermore, the same flavonoids can behave differently according to their position in the body. For example, green tea’s epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) “reduces serotonin levels in the colon but improves them in the hippocampus,” explaining the complexity of how these compounds interact with the human system.

Safety considerations are also still present, as some polyphenols may have adverse effects at high concentrations. The researchers specifically noted that compounds including Galangin, Daidzein, Genastein, Hesperidin, quercetin and resveratrol “may have a harmful effect on healthy cells with elevated concentrations.”

The way forward

The review concluded that while the evidence supports the potential of flavonoids in diabetes management, important work remains. The authors suggest: “Future research should focus on detailed introduction of the molecular pathways in which flavonoids have an effect on intestinal hormones, adding: “Long-term research is essential for evaluating persistent effects and possible side effects. ”

For those currently managing diabetes, the study shows that diets rich in flavonoid sources benefit – including berries, citrus fruits, tea, cocoa and a variety of vegetables. However, concentrate supplements should be treated with caution before further clinical studies.

As researchers continue to uncover the complex relationship between our diet and how the body regulates metabolism, these plant compounds provide a promising bridge between dietary methods and drug interventions for one of the world’s most prevalent chronic diseases.

The study was published in exploratory research and medical hypotheses in January 2025.