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Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
Published on: April 6, 2022
Can dietary fructans lower serum glucose?
Nana K A Bonsu1, C Shanthi Johnson, Katherine M McLeod
1Program in Gerontology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Journal of Diabetes
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Inulin-type fructans show limited impact on human blood glucose levels. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm potential benefits for blood sugar regulation.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Human Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Inulin-type fructans, including inulin and oligofructose, demonstrate positive effects on blood glucose in animal studies.
- Human data on the efficacy of these fructans for glycemic control remain inconclusive.
- A systematic review was performed to assess the impact of dietary inulin-type fructans on human serum glucose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of inulin-type fructans in modulating serum glucose levels in humans.
- To synthesize findings from existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases.
- Thirteen eligible RCTs published between 1984 and 2009 were identified and reviewed.
- Studies were excluded if they lacked a control group, specific fructan dosage information, or glucose outcome data.
Main Results:
- Only four of the thirteen reviewed trials (31%) reported a reduction in serum glucose concentration.
- Of these, merely one trial achieved statistical significance.
- The majority of trials (nine) indicated no significant alterations in serum glucose levels.
Conclusions:
- Current systematic review suggests inulin-type fructans do not significantly lower serum glucose in humans.
- Additional high-quality RCTs are required to definitively ascertain the effects of inulin-type fructans, inulin, and oligofructose on human blood glucose regulation.
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