Sweeteners Different For Type 2 Diabetes

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Sweeteners Different For Type 2 Diabetes

When trying to manage Type 2 diabetes, new research shows that all

sweeteners may not act upon the body in the same way. According to joint

research by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University

of Sao Paolo, Brazil, sugar from dates and dark brown cane sugar may be

the best choices for Type 2 diabetics.

 

The researchers found that some sweeteners contain large amounts of

antioxidants, which aid in controlling diabetes-linked heart disease and

high blood pressure. Further, some sweeteners may inhibit the activity

of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that controls the passage of sugars from

the small intestine.

 

The research team performed an extensive study of sweeteners, which

included Domino Sugar's complete line as well as unprocessed dark sugars

from Peru and Mauritius. Also included were corn syrup-based sweeteners,

maple syrup, and sugars from all over Asia and South America. Sweeteners

were first studied for their phenolic content, which is the same

beneficial antioxidant found in red wine and tea. The tests showed that

darker is better, with dark brown sugars containing close to 5,000

micrograms of phenolic compounds per gram, while white sugar contained a

mere 18.

 

When it came to controlling the alpha-glucosidase enzyme, the study

showed it was best controlled by the darkest brown sugars and especially

by date sugar, which inhibited the enzyme by 75 percent, as compared to

a maximum of 50 percent by dark sugars. Several corn sweeteners also

inhibited the enzyme by up to 80 percent, although they contained only

low levels of phenolic compounds. Several corn sweeteners also inhibited

an enzyme that is a factor in high blood pressure, as did date sugar.

 

Overall, the researchers concluded that while artificial sweeteners may

play a role in managing Type 2 diabetes, date sugar and dark brown

sugars that are close to their natural state may also play an important

role by controlling certain enzymes and supplying powerful antioxidants.