The effect of high maltose and sucrose feeding on glucose tolerance

This study records an impaired glucose tolerance in rats fed a high sucrose or maltose containing diet as compared to an isocaloric starch rich food. At low sugar concentrations only the 50% sucrose containing diet produced a significantly elevated blood glucose following an oral glucose load, whereas 20% sucrose feeding exhibited no differences as compared to long-term starch feeding. While body weights and basal blood sugar levels were similar in all diet groups, the glucose-induced insulin release was significantly higher in rats with a glucose tolerance of a diabetic type. In these animals serum triglycerides were also markedly elevated. The present results indicate, that the metabolic response to the ingestion of carbohydrates depends on the type of carbohydrate in previous nutrition. In view of a known genetic susceptibility regarding sucrose, similar conditions are suggestive for maltose.