Glucose Assist TM, a Novel Combination of Slow Digestible Carbohydrates and Plant Proteins, Improved Postprandial Glycemic Response in Healthy Adults

Objectives: In contrast to fast acting simple carbohydrates which cause a quick spike in blood glucose, complex carbohydrates positively influence glycemic response. Research shows combining complex plant-based carbohydrates with proteins further slows digestion, thereby minimizing glucose excursions. As low glycemic index (GI) foods help stabilize postprandial glycemic response, we investigated the impact of Glucose AssistTM, a uniquely designed, whole- food based multicomponent nutritional blend, on post-meal blood glucose response in healthy individuals. Methods: This double blind, crossover randomized controlled trial involved non-diabetic healthy adults (n=10), aged 18-65 years, with BMI ranging from 18.5 to 35 kg/m2. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either rehydratable Glucose Assist or a high glycemic glucose control (TrutolTM) for 2 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted at four visits using continuous glucose monitors (Freestyle Libre Pro), and glycemic index (GI) calculations were used for group comparison. Results: Compared to control, Glucose Assist TM resulted in a lower glycemic response during OGTT without blood glucose peaks/valleys (p=0.003). The novel formulation exhibited a lower GI of 27.4 versus control (GI = 100) as calculated from the Incremental Area Under the Curve (iAUC). Conclusions: Glucose Assist TM is a unique shake which contains ingredients such as pea and pumpkin seed proteins, oat and buckwheat flours, fiber, green banana flour and organic quinoa sprouts. This shake is designed to minimize blood glucose fluctuations, making it a suitable blend for healthy individuals who are seeking low GI options for managing blood glucose levels. Funding Sources: Research sponsored by Standard Process Inc.