Comments by J. C. Spencer

Does the sugar trehalose contribute to diabetes or fat loss? This has been a question for quite some time. We have antidotal reports that trehalose is low glycemic, that sugar cravings are reduced, and that trehalose is a healthful sugar, but more testing is needed.

Now comes a clinical research paper from a randomized, double-blind, crossover study designed to assess the effects of trehalose shows that indeed trehalose helps the insulin and glucose concentrations in obese men.

Here is the abstract:

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Acute effects of low insulinemic sweeteners on postprandial insulin and glucose concentrations in obese men.

Maki KC, Kanter M, Rains TM, Hess SP, Geohas J.
Provident Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA.

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.

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Jan 29:1-8. [Epub ahead of print]

Published on www.PubMed.gov