Drug & supplement interaction

Apple Polyphenols + Insulin determir

Insulin determir brand name: Levemir.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Apple Polyphenols has a moderate interaction with Insulin determir. In healthy adults, taking 900-1800 mg of a polyphenol-rich apple extract prior to a meal delays the time to peak postprandial blood glucose levels.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Apple Polyphenols and Insulin determir

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

INSULIN

In healthy adults, taking 900-1800 mg of a polyphenol-rich apple extract prior to a meal delays the time to peak postprandial blood glucose levels. Theoretically, apple polyphenols might have additive effects when used concomitantly with certain insulin products and may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Timing of insulin administration may need to be adjusted.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist with Levemir (insulin detemir) and concentrated apple polyphenols. In one lower-quality study, larger apple extract doses (around 900 to 1800 mg before a meal) slowed how quickly blood sugar rose after eating. Levemir already works to bring blood sugar down, so stacking the two could push your numbers a little lower than expected. That raises the chance of hypoglycemia, which can show up as shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, or feeling suddenly hungry.

This is mostly theoretical and based on weak evidence, and small amounts of apple from food are very unlikely to matter. Still, if you want to try a real supplement dose, check your blood sugar more closely and talk with your pharmacist or doctor first. Never adjust your insulin on your own.

References
  1. Prpa EJ, Corpe CP, Atkinson B, et al. Apple polyphenol-rich drinks dose-dependently decrease early-phase postprandial glucose concentrations following a high-carbohydrate meal: a randomized controlled trial in healthy adults and in vitro studies. J Nutr B PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Apple Polyphenols Also Interacts With Other Medications

Apple Polyphenols has 12 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Insulin determir one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Apple Polyphenols

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Apple Polyphenols. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Insulin determir

This page covers Apple Polyphenols only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Insulin determir page lists 242 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Chelation Therapy Products (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Agaricus Mushroom (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 211 moderate · 29 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Insulin determir page

“Anyone using insulin detemir (Levemir) should treat this list with real caution, because nearly every one of the 242 ingredients on it acts on blood sugar, and most stack extra glucose-lowering on top of the insulin you already inject. Only two carry a major rating, but both deserve understanding first: Siberian cocklebur, which has ca…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Insulin determir interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Apple Polyphenols and Insulin determir Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Apple Polyphenols
Steady interest

#1,160 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Insulin determir
Steady interest

#2,041 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Apple Polyphenols

What is Apple Polyphenols?

Apple Polyphenols
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Weight management
  • Antioxidant support
  • Blood sugar support
  • Skin health (topical)

Apple polyphenols are antioxidant plant compounds taken from apples and marketed for heart, weight, and blood sugar health. Early research is interesting, but there is not enough reliable human evidence to confirm these benefits. They appear generally safe in food-like amounts, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated supplements.

Read the full Apple Polyphenols monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Insulin Detemir (rDNA Origin) Injection

What Is Insulin Detemir (rDNA Origin) Injection Used For?

Brand name: Levemir

Levemir is used to improve blood sugar (glycemic) control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. It is a long-acting (basal) insulin.

It is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious emergency in which the body builds up acids called ketones.

See full Insulin Detemir (rDNA Origin) Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Apple Polyphenols

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Apple Polyphenols — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
12Moderate
0Minor
2,817No known interaction
Moderate

12 interactions

No interaction 2,817 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Taking Apple Polyphenols and Insulin determir Together: Common Questions

Can you take Apple Polyphenols with Insulin determir?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Apple Polyphenols and Insulin determir interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.