Isomaltulose is a disaccharide carbohydrate composed of glucose and fructose. It tastes like sucrose however has about half the sweetness, and its slower price of digestion has been posited to have some blood sugar administration, weight administration and potential sports activities diet advantages.
Study in contrast isomaltulose, glucose and maltodextrin
Researchers related to the German Sports University in Köln (Cologne) determined to analyze the metabolic, hormonal and efficiency results of isomaltulose compared to glucose and maltodextrin, one other widespread practical carbohydrate utilized in sports activities diet merchandise. The analysis was printed lately within the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Finding a greater various for widespread sugars has been a protracted standing theme in sports activities diet research. Some approaches have favored carbohydrates which might be digested sooner than glucose, the usual benchmark. These embrace unique choices comparable to fractionated amylopectin and extremely branched cyclic dextrin.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum are low glycemic index carbohydrates, together with isomaltulose, which is marketed because the branded ingredient Palatinose by practical fibers and carbohydrates provider Beneo. Beneo, a part of German multinational agency Südzucker Group, manufactures the ingredient by way of an enzymatic course of.
Some resent analysis on Beneo’s ingredient has centered on its potential benefit in products aimed at weight management.
Blood sugar markers and efficiency results measured
The researchers had been looking for to measure the fats and carbohydrate oxidation charges, blood glucose ranges and serum hormone concentrations of insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) between the three teams. By method of secondary measures they assessed working efficiency and gastrointestinal discomfort. The researchers famous that isomaltulose has been properly studied for its results on the resting ranges of those measures, however how the proof is extra restricted for the usage of isomaltulose in efficiency settings.
The researchers recruited 21 male leisure endurance runners, who ranged in age from 21 to 32. The runners ingested 50 grams of isomaltulose, glucose or maltodextrin earlier than performing a 60 minute treadmill run at 70% of their most oxygen uptake. They then rested for quarter-hour after which carried out a treadmill run to exhaustion at 85% of their VO2max. Blood was drawn at baseline, each 10 minutes and on the finish of the 60 minute run and once more on the finish of the exhaustion section of the take a look at.
In addition to the 10-minute blood attracts, subjective assessments of GI consolation had been gathered at these intervals, too. Each runner accomplished the take a look at 4 occasions, as soon as with no carbohydrate supplementation and once more with every of the research supplies. The take a look at was doubled blinded, the authors famous.
The researchers discovered that isomaltulose had a profit on some measures however not on others.
“Isomaltulose ingestion appears to have a extra advantageous impact on blood glucose, insulin and GIP response in comparison with maltodextrin and glucose, as was proven by decreased postprandial absolute concentrations and a decrease price of fluctuation throughout treadmill working train. However, glucose availability, in addition to fats and carbohydrate oxidation charges remained unaffected. Furthermore, efficiency outcomes and gastrointestinal discomfort weren’t affected on this research,” the authors concluded.
Expert unconvinced by proof
Prof. David Nieman, PhD, director of the human efficiency lab at Appalachian State University, has studied the results of carbohydrates and polyphenols in sports activities diet for years. Nieman mentioned the information on this research confirms what he has noticed in others, particularly that it’s onerous to beat Mother Nature on the subject of fueling the human physique for optimum sports activities efficiency.
”The information on this research, and different comparable research, should not sturdy sufficient to suggest the inclusion of isomaltulose in sports activities diet merchandise. This specific research didn’t embrace a placebo management, and that’s problematic. In basic, the working muscular tissues throughout intensive and extended train obtain efficiency advantages from available exogenous sources of glucose, fructose, and sucrose (comparable to present in most fruits and sports activities diet drinks). Isomaltulose might ‘look good on paper,’ however this has not translated to a major enhancement in efficiency,” Nieman advised NutraIngredients-USA.
Source: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
18, Article quantity: 38 (2021)
Metabolic, hormonal and efficiency results of isomaltulose ingestion earlier than extended cardio train: a double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial
Authors: Notbohm HL, et al.
