Effects of consumption of sucromalt, a slowly digestible carbohydrate, on mental and physical energy questionnaire responses

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate whether consumption of the low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate sucromalt improves healthy adults’ perceptions of mental and physical energy and fatigue compared to dextrose (glucose), a high GI control.

Methods

In this double-blind, randomized, cross-over study, subjects (n = 44 healthy adults) consumed a standardized dinner, and following an overnight fast, ingested 75 g of either sucromalt or glucose in solution at 7:30 AM the next day. Subjects completed validated questionnaires that assessed mental and physical energy, and fatigue, hunger, and sleepiness at baseline and hourly until 12:30 PM for a total of five post-consumption time points. Within-subject differences adjusted for baseline for individual questions and composite scores (Mental Energy State, Mental Fatigue State, Physical Energy State, and Physical Fatigue State) were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

Mental Energy State, Physical Energy State, and Physical Fatigue State results favored sucromalt compared to glucose, with significant differences emerging particularly after 4–5 hours (P < 0.050). A trend toward a delay in Mental Fatigue State was also observed with sucromalt compared to glucose (P < 0.100). Minimal differences in ratings of hunger and sleepiness were observed between the beverages.

Discussion

Sucromalt may help attenuate the perceived decline in mental and physical energy and rise in mental and physical fatigue that can occur 4–5 hours after ingestion of a high GI beverage. Trials examining effects of sucromalt on cognitive and physical performance are of future interest.

Keywords:

• Mental energy
• Mood
• Physical energy
• Slowly digestible carbohydrate
• Sucromalt

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Cargill, Incorporated for funding this research. K.W.D. is currently an employee of Cargill. M.K. was an employee of Cargill at the time the study was conducted. A.B. was an employee of Cargill at the time the statistical plan was developed and executed and the manuscript was drafted. K.W.D. interpreted the data and drafted the majority of the article; M.B. performed the statistical analysis, interpreted the data, and contributed to drafting the article methods; M.K. designed and conducted the study and helped in drafting the article; and A.B. advised on the statistical approach, interpreted the data, and critically revised the article for important intellectual content.