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The fiber and/or polyphenols present in lingonberries null the glycemic effect of the sugars present

The study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of commercial lingonberry powder on postprandial glycemia and lipemia. It was hypothesised that the concentration of glycose and triacylglycerol in blood would be lower after the consumption of lingonberry containing meal than the meal without lingonberry.

The study subjects were health, normal-weight males.

The test meals in the study were:

  1. fat-free, nonflavored yoghurt (200 g) + glucose (50 g)
  2. fat-free, nonflavored yoghurt (200 g) + triacylglycerol (canola oil 35 g)
  3. fat-free, nonflavored yoghurt (200 g) + glucose (50 g) + lingonberry powder (40 g, corresponds to 270 g fresh berries)
  4. fat-free, nonflavored yoghurt (200 g) + triacylglycerol (canola oil 35 g) + lingonberry powder (60 g, corresponds to 400 g fresh berries)

The amount of sugars, fiber and polyphenols in the lingonberry powder was analysed before the study. The concentration of glucose, insulin and triacylglycerol was analysed at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 270, and 360 minutes postprandially.   

The most important result revealed that the glucose concentration in the blood remained the same after the meal containing lingonberry powder irrespective the added glycose in the meal. This suggests that the fiber and/or polyphenols present in lingonberries nullify the negative effect of the natural sugars of the lingonberries on the blood sugar content even when extra sugar is added in the meal.  

By contrast, the lingonberry powder did not affect the postprandial lipemic response.

In summary, it can be stated that berries should be included in healthy diets despite their natural sugar content.

Source: Linderborg, K.M., Järvinen, R., Lehtonen, H-M., Viitanen, M. & Kallio, H.P.T. (2012) The fiber and/or polyphenols present in lingonberries null the glycemic effect of the sugars present in the berries when consumed together with added glucose in healthy human volunteers. Nutrition Research 32: 471-478.

 

Avainsanat:
puolukka  lipemia  glykemia  polyfenolit  glukoosi  lingonberry  lipemia  glycemia  polyphenols  glucose 


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