Palatinose-blended sugar compared with sucrose: different effects on insulin sensitivity after 12 weeks supplementation in sedentary adults

Abstract

Background: We investigated the effects of daily palatinose intake on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in sedentary non-obese Japanese adults.

Methods: Japanese adults (40 females and 10 males, age: 53 ± 9 years, range: 31–72 years old) were randomized into two groups for a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study and given either 40 g/day palatinose-blended sugar (PS group) or 40 g/day sucrose (S group) in their diet for 12 weeks.

Results: After the intervention, the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) had significantly decreased only in the PS group; the inter-group difference was significant at P = 0.006. Although the S group showed a significant increase in the leptin concentration and the systolic blood pressure, the PS group showed no significant changes; the inter-group differences were significant at P = 0.018 and P = 0.037, respectively.

Conclusion: Palatinose intake possibly improves insulin sensitivity when compared with sucrose intake.

Keywords::

• Palatinose
• sucrose
• metabolic syndrome
• insulin sensitivity
• HOMA-IR
• leptin

Acknowledgements

The present work was undertaken at Mukogawa Women's University Institute for World Health Development, Hyogo, Japan. The authors thank Dr Jun Kashimura, Mr Kouji Suzuki and Mr Koutarou Eda of Mitsui Sugar Co., Ltd for preparing and providing the proper sugar samples.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.