Catalytic amounts of fructose may improve glucose tolerance in subjects with uncontrolled non-insulin-dependent diabetes

Background It was suggested that acute ingestion of small amounts of fructose can improve glucose homeostasis. Aim To study the effect of a long-term tri-daily supplementation of catalytic amounts of fructose on glucose tolerance of subjects with type 2 diabetes (NIDDM). Methods A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-six subjects with uncontrolled NIDDM as indicated by high levels of hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1c) and 2-h postprandial glucose levels >200 mg% were assigned to either fructose or maltodextrin supplementation (7.5 g) tri-daily after each main meal. The subjects were challenged with a fixed meal and blood was drawn for determining levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides before and 2 h after meal at baseline and 1 month after study entry. Blood was drawn for total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), fructosamine and HgbA1C before study entry and at 1, 2 and 3 months into the study. Results No changes were observed in the difference between postprandial and pre-meal glucose, insulin or triglyceride levels in each group or between groups. No significant statistical differences were found in weight, total cholesterol, LDL-c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in each group or between groups along the study period. After 1 month fructosamin levels decreased in the fructose-supplemented group but not in the maltodextrin-supplemented group (P<0.052). HgbA1C levels decreased with time in both groups but were significantly lower at 2 months in the fructose group as compared to the maltodextrin group (P<0.03). Conclusions Subjects with NIDDM may benefit from daily supplementation of catalytic amounts of fructose in their diet.