An insulinogenic effect of oral fructose in humans during postprandial hyperglycemia

This study proposed to determine whether the stimulation of insulin secretion observed in humans infused with fructose when glucose levels were elevated could be observed when fructose was consumed during postprandial hyperglycemia. At 2-wk intervals, healthy volunteers consumed drinks containing glucose, starch, glucose followed 20 min later by fructose, starch followed 20 min later by fructose, and water followed 20 min later by fructose. Fructose consumption following glucose or starch drinks produced significantly higher levels of plasma insulin, but not plasma glucose, as compared to corresponding drinks consumed without fructose. Ten subjects whose blood glucose response levels were above 155 mg% after a glucose-containing drink appeared to be particularly responsive to the effects of fructose with increases in insulin levels of 60-288%. Results indicate that oral fructose can be insulinogenic in humans when blood glucose levels are elevated.