Abstracto
A comparative study of three non-nutritive sweeteners effects on insulin and glucose in healthy, non-diabetic adults.
Joelle Imad, Tarek Wehbe, Elizabeth Abou Jaoude
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are sugar substitutes that provide the sweet taste with few or no calories. NNS are widely used for weight management, dental caries prevention, and diabetic diets. In addition, several low calorie diet food and beverages use NNS or their components. The objective of this study is to assess the effects of some NNS on blood glucose and insulin as compared to a glucose solution and placebo in healthy, non-diabetic adults. Thirty five healthy, non-diabetic subjects aged 18 to 40 with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ) were selected randomly and divided into 5 groups. Each group received a different solution. Group 1 received 9 g of Canderel®, group 2 received 9 g of Nevella®, group 3 received 9 g of Canderel Green Stevia®, group 4 received 75 g of glucose and group 5 received only water. Serum glucose and insulin levels were performed fasting and one hour after ingestion of each solution. No differences were observed between the genders (p>0.05). The pre and post prandial blood glucose did not differ significantly between the 3 NNS groups and water (p>0.05). Insulin levels increased postprandially in the Canderel® and glucose groups (p<0.05) but not in the Nevella®, water or Canderel Green Stevia® groups (p>0.05). In conclusion, the NSS are not all similar, there is a clear difference among the groups between the NNS, glucose and water intake. Canderel® was the only NNS that caused a rise in insulin levels without any effect on blood glucose in healthy subjects. It might not be the preferred NNS to use due to its potential effects on the beta cells and insulin resistance possibly putting the consumer at risk of developing diabetes or pre-diabetes.