Acute Effects of Low Insulinemic Sweeteners on Postprandial Insulin and Glucose Concentrations in Obese Men

Objective: This randomized, double-blind, crossover study was designed to assess the effects of trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide, alone and in combination with fructose, on postprandial serum insulin and glucose levels in obese men compared with a glucose control.

Methods: Participants (n=21) ingested one of three study beverages, providing 75 g total carbohydrate, at each test visit, and venous blood samples were collected immediately prior to consumption (0 min) and at 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min post-consumption for assessment of serum insulin and plasma glucose levels.

Results: Consumption of beverages containing trehalose and the trehalose/fructose combination blunted glycemic and insulinemic incremental areas under the curve by 20-35%, as compared with the glucose control.

Conclusions: Trehalose, alone or in combination with fructose, elicited lower glycemic and insulinemic responses in obese men as compared with glucose alone, and may have advantages in the development of food products.