Royal jelly reduces the serum glucose levels in healthy subjects

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #animals #area-under-curve #bees #blood-glucose

Royal jelly reduces the serum glucose levels in healthy subjects

Münstedt et al., 2009 | J Med Food | Other

Citation

Münstedt Karsten, Bargello Matthias, Hauenschild Annette. Royal jelly reduces the serum glucose levels in healthy subjects. J Med Food. 2009-Oct;12(5):1170-2. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.0289

Abstract

Earlier biological investigations have shown that royal jelly has insulin-like activity. However, there have so far been no clinical trials to support these findings. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of royal jelly ingestion on the glucose metabolism of healthy humans. Twenty volunteers underwent the standardized oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and afterwards a second OGTT after ingestion of 20 g of royal jelly. Serum glucose levels after 2 hours and the area under the curve for glucose were significantly lower (P = .041) after royal jelly administration. Substances originating from the pharyngeal glands of the honey bee with insulin-like activity are likely to have caused this effect and may thus be, at least partially, responsible for the lowering impact of honey on blood glucose levels. The identification of the substances that seem to act even after passage through the human stomach could lead to the development of new concepts in diabetology.

Key Findings

The identification of the substances that seem to act even after passage through the human stomach could lead to the development of new concepts in diabetology.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population healthy humans
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Area Under Curve
  • Bees
  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Male
  • Reference Values
  • Young Adult
  • Royal Jelly

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Other
  • Publication Types: Journal Article
  • Vertical: royal-jelly

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-12