Effects of L-arabinose on glycemic responses after the consumption of sucrose-rich foods in individuals with impaired fasting glucose: a randomized controlled cross-over trial

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is considered a pre-clinical stage of type 2 diabetes. L-arabinose is a sucrase inhibitor that interferes with sucrose breakdown and has been shown to lower glycemic and insulinemic responses in healthy individuals. However, its effects in individuals with impaired fasting glucose are unknown. To assess effects of L-arabinose on glycemic responses after the consumption of sucrose-rich foods in individuals with IFG. Eighteen adults (4 females, 14 males; age 73 ± 4 years; BMI 27.5 ± 2.4 kg/m2) with IFG participated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over trial. Participants received 10% w/w L-arabinose (treatment) in a 550 mL sucrose drink or a sucrose-only drink (control). Blood glucose and insulin were measured before and up to 180 minutes post-consumption. Following this, participants consumed a two-day controlled diet with sucrose-rich (9-10 en%) meals and snacks, preceded by a 15% w/w L-arabinose supplement or no L-arabinose (control). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) assessed glycemic variability throughout the trial. A single treatment of 10% w/w L-arabinose significantly reduced glucose peaks (-14%) and insulin peaks (-30%), with delays of 10 and 32 minutes, respectively. CGM also revealed significant reductions in variability versus control value: standard deviation (-25%), coefficient of variation (-24%), and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (-26%). However, no effects on glycemic variability were observed during the controlled diet. A single treatment of L-arabinose to a sucrose-rich drink reduced insulin and glucose responses in individuals with IFG, but this effect did not extend to a sucrose-rich diet containing complex meals and snacks. (https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/nl/trial/27001).