Diabetes & Blood Glucose Control

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Researchers found that when bees were fed resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, they ate less food afterwards.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a natural polyphenolic compound produced by plants, is found in the skin of red grapes and in other fruits, and it can also be produced by chemical synthesis. Resveratrol’s benefits are the subject of numerous animal and human studies. Animal studies have shown anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aggregatory, hypoglycemic and other beneficial cardiovascular effects have been reported, as has blood pressure reduction.

A one-year, double-blind, controlled clinical study suggests cacao flavonoids and soy isoflavones can significantly improve biomarkers of CVD risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. The trial, conducted by Peter J. Curtis, Ph.D., et al, funded by a U.K.-based Charity, Diabetes UJK, and supported by Frutarom Ltd., Israel, and cocoa and chocolate processor Barry Callebaut Inc., was published February 2012 in Diabetes Care.

National Starch Food Innovation announced promising results of two recently published studies that support Hi-maize resistant starch’s benefits for glycemic health.

Stevia has been long cultivated as a sweetener. The extracts of the leaves, steviol glycosides, are responsible for its sweet characteristics; the main two steviol glycosides are stevioside and rebaudioside A (reb A).

Food manufacturers are responding to the diabetes epidemic facing the world, and the result has been annual growth in new product launches that tout a diabetic positioning, according to global product launch statistics tracked by Innova Market Insights.

“Is saturated fat really the route of all health evils?” questioned Dariush Mozaffarian, MD DrPH in an engaging talk entitled “Fats, Oils and Health: What Does the Science Say About Fats & Oils in the American Diet” presented at the Food Technology, Innovation, and Safety Summit, held in Chicago on May 18 and 19, 2011.

This white paper focuses on pycnogenol, a natural ingredient extracted from French maritime pine bark. Although there are many potential uses for pycnogenol, the most well-studied use is for improving vascular health, as a result of improved endothelial function and venous insufficiency.

The results of two new studies contribute to the growing body of research demonstrating adequate dairy consumption, as part of a nutrient-rich, balanced diet, may help maintain metabolic health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Research looks at the benefits of isomaltulose, a full-calorie carbohydrate with a low impact on blood glucose levels.