Favorable Glycemic Response of Type 2 Diabetics to Low‐Calorie Cranberry Juice

ABSTRACT: Fruit and vegetable intake is typically low for type 2 diabetics, possibly due to a perceived adverse effect on glycemic control. Cranberry juice (CBJ) may represent an attractive means for increasing fruit intake and simultaneously affording positive health benefits. This single cross‐over design compared metabolic responses of type 2 diabetics ( n = 12) to unsweetened low‐calorie CBJ (LCCBJ; 19 Cal/240 mL), carbohydrate sweetened normal calorie CBJ (NCCBJ; 120 Cal/240 mL), isocaloric low‐calorie sugar water control (LCC), and isocaloric normal calorie sugar water control (NCC) interventions. CBJ flavonols and anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins were quantified with HPLC, LC‐MS, and MALDI‐TOF that includes an original characterization of several large oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Blood glucose peaked 30 min postingestion after NCCBJ and NCC at 13.3 ± 0.5 and 12.8 ± 0.9 (mmol/L), and these responses were significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC peaks of 8.1 ± 0.5 and 8.7 ± 0.5, respectively. Differences in glycemic response remained significant 60 min, but not 120 min postingestion. Plasma insulin values 60 min postingestion for NCCBJ and NCC interventions were 140 ± 19 and 151 ± 18 (pmol/L), respectively, and significantly greater than the LCCBJ and LCC values of 56 ± 10 and 54 ± 10; differences were not significant 120 min postingestion. Metabolic responses within the 2 high and 2 low‐calorie beverages were virtually identical; however, exposure to potentially beneficial nutrients was greater with CBJ. Relative to conventionally sweetened preparation, LCCBJ provides a favorable metabolic response and should be useful for promoting increased fruit consumption among type 2 diabetics or others wishing to limit carbohydrate intake.