Does miraa affect blood glucose? Khat is a stimulant that is in the form of leaves that is chewed for its euphoric effects. It has cathine, cathinone, and psychoactive substances. These components stimulate the nervous system and give the user temporary happiness, anxiety, activeness, and mood disturbance. According to the World Health Organization, Khat is a drug whose abuse can lead to health problems. Frequent chewing of khat has attracted contradictory debates where supporters state that it lowers blood glucose. How accurate is this statement? We shall expound. On the contrary, several studies point out that frequent khat chewing leads to poor glycemic control, lower BMI, and increase the risk of developing type diabetes.
Khat and the central nervous system
Miraa has an active element known as cathinone, which causes euphoria and excitement. It makes users stay alert and have more energy. Khat causes such effects during the first 1-3 hours after the user chews it. However, after this duration, the effects are replaced by anxiety, mild dysphoria, reactive depression, and insomnia. Research states that khat-induced insomnia becomes so frequent in that the chewers have to use sedatives or alcohol. Insomnia is linked to insulin resistance hence poor control of blood glucose.
Miraa and the cardiovascular system
Studies point out that khat chewing increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. These effects are at the peak of 3 hours after chewing the drug. Therefore, it increases one’s risk of getting hypertension and heart disease. If one has diabetes and blood pressure, they are exposed to blood vessel damage, kidney failure, and heart attack. Such complications make it difficult for one to control their glucose levels effectively.
Khat and dental/oral issues
Frequent chewing of khat leads to stomatitis-this is the inflammation of the mouth and the lips. This is because the users strain the cheeks and the oral tissues hence irritating the mucosal surfaces. Research carried in Yemen among chewers of miraa reported high cases of periodontal disease. If you are chewing khat and have diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, which may be challenging to treat.
Khat chewing has also been linked to increased cortisol and resistin levels in healthy people and those with diabetes. When cortisol is elevated for an extended period, it produces glucose and leads to high blood glucose levels hence diabetes. A study carried by Gharibeah 2010 found that the resistin serum contributes to insulin resistance, thus increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes. Though research on khat and diabetes is limited, it has been associated with poor eating habits. The users get addicted to chewing to the extent that they forget to stick to their dietary needs. They are also more likely to consume sweetened beverages, which makes it challenging to manage blood glucose.
In pregnant women, khat chewing has been linked to low birth weight infants and poor lactation in nursing mothers. Overall, khat leads to insulin resistance that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The increased risk of other complications such as heart failure, hypertension, and periodontal disease makes it difficult to control blood glucose.