Acute effects of raisin consumption on glucose and insulin reponses in healthy individuals. (7th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esfahani, Amin; Lam, Joanne; Kendall, Cyril W. C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutritional science. Volume 3(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-01-07
• Subjects: Raisins, -- Dried fruit, -- Glycaemic index, -- Glycaemic load; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 612.305
• DOI: 10.1017/jns.2013.33
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2048-6790

Abstract

Abstract: Raisins are popular snacks with a favourable nutrient profile, being high in dietary fibre, polyphenols and a number of vitamins and minerals, in addition to being rich in fructose. In light of evidence demonstrating improvements in glycaemic control with moderate fructose intake and low-glycaemic index (GI) fruits, our aim was to determine the GI, insulin index (II) and postprandial responses to raisins in an acute feeding setting. A total of ten healthy participants (four male and six female) consumed breakfast study meals on four occasions over a 2- to 8-week period: meal 1: white bread (WB) (108 g WB; 50 g available carbohydrate) served as the control and was consumed on two separate occasions; meal 2: raisins (R50) (69 g raisins; 50 g available carbohydrate); and meal 3: raisins (R20) (one serving, 28 g raisins; 20 g available carbohydrate). Postprandial glucose and insulin were measured over a 2 h period for the determination of GI, glycaemic load (GL) and II. The raisin meals, R50 and R20, resulted in significantly reduced postprandial glucose and insulin responses when compared with WB ( P < 0·05). Furthermore, raisins were determined to be low-GI, -GL and -II foods. The favourable effect of raisins on postprandial glycaemic response, their insulin-sparing effect and low GI combined with their other metabolic benefits may indicate that raisins are a healthy choice not only for the general population but also for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.