Updated July 27 2025. As rates of diabetes and prediabetes keep rising, people are looking for natural ways to manage blood sugar. One lesser-known option is abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone also found in some foods. Early research suggests ABA may help support healthy glucose metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity. Here's what we know so far.
What Is Abscisic Acid and How Does It Affect Blood Sugar?
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone found in small amounts in fruits and vegetables like figs, citrus, and avocados. In humans, it helps lower blood sugar by improving insulin sensitivity and promoting glucose uptake into muscle cells. Clinical studies suggest that ABA supplements may reduce fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and insulin levels in people with prediabetes or insulin resistance. It may also support metabolic health without raising insulin levels.
Pro-tip. Don't confuse abscisic acid with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). They are not the same.
Which Foods Are High in Abscisic Acid?
ABA shows up in low amounts in a lot of foods. Here's a snapshot of how much you’ll find in some common items (amounts per kilogram of food):
Food | Amount mg per kg |
Avocado | 2.00 |
Figs | 0.72 |
Citrus fruits | 1.25 |
Soybeans | 0.79 |
Corn | 0.33 |
Black pepper | 0.25 |
Bananas | 0.22 |
Cucumbers | 0.09 |
Tomatoes | 0.20 |
Apricots are also a good source and have been shown to boost ABA levels in the blood.
The problem is that you'd need to eat large amounts of these foods to get a meaningful dose. For example, the average American who eats less than three servings of fruits and vegetables per day consumes only about 189 micrograms of ABA.
Supplementing with ABA is one way to increase the dose.
Clinical Studies on Abscisic Acid for Blood Sugar Control
Several human studies have investigated the effects of ABA supplements on blood sugar and other health markers. Here are a few highlights:
Human Study on ABA and Blood Sugar: 75-Day Trial with Mediterranean Diet
In this investigation, researchers gave 10 healthy adults ABA supplements for 75 days while they followed a Mediterranean-style diet. The supplement used was called GSECM-50, which contains about 55 mcg of ABA per tablet.
Results showed that 70% of the participants (7 out of 10) experienced improvements in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, waist size, and body mass index (BMI). Here's what happened:
- ✅ 20.6% lower fasting blood sugar
- ✅ 5.7% reduction in HbA1c
- ✅ 15.4% lower total cholesterol
- ✅ 3.1% reduction in body mass index
- ✅ 5.7% reduction in waist circumference
- ✅ 17.2% lower risk of heart disease.
ABA also appeared to work best in those who had borderline high blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI. Drawbacks? The study lacked a placebo group, and all participants were already eating a healthy diet.
Human Study on Fig Extract and Abscisic Acid: Blood Sugar and Insulin Response
In this study, researchers gave 10 healthy people fig-extracts containing ABA and then had them consume a sugary drink. Results: a 13% reduction in blood sugar and 25% lower insulin levels. The fig extract used in this study was called ABALife. Intriguing results, but aside from this being a small study of only 10 people, keep in mind also that the people did not have diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Also, there was no placebo group.
Fig Extract Prediabetes Trial
In this larger study, Sixty overweight people with prediabetes took either an ABA supplement or a placebo for three months. The group taking ABA showed significant improvements in fasting blood sugar, post-meal blood sugar, insulin levels, and HbA1c. About 27% of the people (16 people) returned to normal glucose levels, and none progressed to type 2 diabetes. The downside? It didn’t help with weight loss or cholesterol.
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How Does Abscisic Acid Work?
Researchers believe that ABA facilitates the movement of glucose into muscle cells more efficiently, partly by activating transport proteins called GLUT4. It may also activate AMPK, an enzyme that helps regulate energy use and metabolism.
Another theory is that ABA encourages brown fat production. Brown fat burns more energy than regular fat, which might help with weight management over time.
Does Abscisic Acid Increase or Lower Insulin?
Surprisingly, no. ABA helps insulin work more effectively without increasing the body's production of it. That’s a plus because high insulin levels can lead to weight gain and other issues.
Can Abscisic Acid Help With Weight Loss or Fat Burning?
Some studies have shown a decrease in waist size and BMI, but not actual weight loss. More research is needed before making any strong claims about fat loss.
Is Abscisic Acid Safe to Take for Blood Sugar? ⚠️
ABA is found in everyday foods and is considered safe by both the FDA and EPA. It does not appear to raise liver enzymes or creatinine levels. In clinical studies, no serious side effects have been reported. Just to be safe:
- Start with a lower dose for at least the first week
- Talk to your doctor if you’re on diabetes medications, pregnant, or nursing
- Stop taking it two weeks before any surgery
Should You Try Abscisic Acid for Blood Sugar Support?
Ascisic acid shows promise for helping people with prediabetes or mild blood sugar problems. The studies so far suggest it may help lower glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, especially when taken daily for at least two to three months. If you're looking for a natural way to support healthy blood sugar, ABA may be worth discussing with your doctor.
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