Sweet Corn for Glycemic Index

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Audrey Study Coordinator

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Florida

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 5 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess how different types of sweet corn affect blood sugar levels. Participants will compare the glycemic index (the rate at which foods raise blood sugar) of sweet corn to that of a glucose drink. The study also examines feelings of fullness or hunger after consuming sweet corn. Participants must be willing to drink a glucose beverage and eat a specified amount of sweet corn while providing fingerstick blood samples. The trial is not suitable for individuals with conditions like diabetes that affect blood sugar levels. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to nutritional science and understand sweet corn's impact on health.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have a condition affecting blood glucose, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that sweet corn is a safe food choice, even for people with diabetes. Studies have found that sweet corn has a low glycemic index (GI), meaning it doesn't cause a significant increase in blood sugar levels after eating. The GI of boiled corn is about 52, which is considered low.

Sweet corn is also high in fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. No major negative effects have been reported from eating sweet corn. Overall, sweet corn is well-tolerated as part of a balanced diet. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using sweet corn for managing glycemic index because it offers a natural alternative to traditional glucose tolerance solutions. Unlike standard treatments that typically involve consuming pure glucose, sweet corn provides carbohydrates that might be absorbed more gradually, potentially leading to a steadier impact on blood sugar levels. This could offer a more dietary-friendly approach for individuals seeking to manage their blood sugar without relying solely on synthetic glucose solutions.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for glycemic index?

This trial will compare the glycemic response of sweet corn to a glucose tolerance drink. Research has shown that sweet corn has a moderate glycemic index, causing a moderate increase in blood sugar levels. For people with type 2 diabetes, consuming foods with a lower glycemic index can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels. Sweet corn's glycemic index ranges from 60 to 85, depending on the type and preparation method. This makes it a more balanced choice compared to foods with a high glycemic index, which can quickly raise blood sugar levels. Sweet corn might be a good option for managing blood sugar, but portion sizes and cooking methods should be considered for optimal results. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in understanding how their body processes sweet corn and its impact on blood sugar levels. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's best to contact the study organizers for details.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to give 7 fingerstick blood samples during each 2-hour session.

Able to provide written consent in English

Willing to consume around 250 to 350 g of sweet corn in 10 to 15 minutes (3 mornings)

Exclusion Criteria

Currently pregnant

I have a condition like diabetes or PCOS affecting my blood sugar.

My fasting blood sugar level is above 100 mg/dL.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either a glucose tolerance drink or sweet corn to assess glycemic index and hunger/satiety scores

5 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Corn Glycemic Index

Trial Overview The study is testing how different types of processed sweet corn affect blood sugar by comparing them with a glucose tolerance drink. It also looks at feelings of hunger or fullness after eating sweet corn.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Sweet corn Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Sweet corn providing 50 g of available carbohydrate

Group II: Glucose Tolerance Drink Active Control 1 Intervention

50 g glucose beverage

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,428

Recruited

987,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study assessed the glycemic index of different types of maize stiff porridges consumed in Malawi, involving 11 healthy volunteers over 3 weeks, revealing that porridges made from fermented maize grits had a moderate glycemic index of 65.49, while those made from whole maize flour and grits had high glycemic indices of 94.06 and 109.64, respectively.

These findings suggest that traditional processing and cooking methods significantly affect the glycemic response of maize porridges, highlighting the need for dietary modifications to improve health outcomes for consumers, especially those with diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Glycemic responses to maize flour stiff porridges prepared using local recipes in Malawi. Mlotha, V., Mwangwela, AM., Kasapila, W., et al.[2020]

In a study of 238 low-income Latino adults with type 2 diabetes, increases in glycemic index over 12 months were linked to higher HbA1c levels and increased waist circumference, indicating a negative impact on glycemic control.

Lowering the glycemic index may improve metabolic risk factors, suggesting that dietary strategies focusing on glycemic index could be beneficial for diabetes self-management in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decrease in Glycemic Index Associated with Improved Glycemic Control among Latinos with Type 2 Diabetes. Wang, ML., Gellar, L., Nathanson, BH., et al.[2022]

The glycemic penalty index (GPI) developed by Van Herpe and colleagues effectively combines the effects of both high and low blood glucose levels, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of glycemic control in clinical settings.

By using the GPI, healthcare providers may improve insulin management strategies and better define treatment targets, potentially leading to enhanced patient outcomes related to blood glucose levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-level glucose reporting: averages, episodes, or something in between? Braithwaite, SS.[2021]

The traditional glycemic index (GI) is limited because it only measures the effect of glycemic carbohydrates and does not account for the overall food composition or intake response, making it less effective for managing post-meal blood sugar levels.

By redefining GI to focus on whole foods and expressing it as glycemic glucose equivalents (GGE) per 100 grams, it could provide a more practical and comprehensive tool for dietary management, allowing for better integration with nutrient information in food databases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Redefining the glycemic index for dietary management of postprandial glycemia. Monro, J.[2018]

The glycemic index (GI) tables compile nearly 600 entries of various foods, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding their glycemic effects, which is useful for managing diabetes, sports nutrition, and appetite control.

These tables include GI values based on both glucose and white bread standards, along with details about the number of subjects tested and the sources of data, helping to standardize and streamline future research on food glycemic effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

International tables of glycemic index. Foster-Powell, K., Miller, JB.[2022]

Glycaemic indices of foods were studied in South African black rural adolescents, a group at low risk for diabetes, revealing that their blood glucose responses were similar to those of white subjects but with lower mean glucose levels by 1 mmol/l.

Legumes, especially gram dal, showed significantly lower glycaemic indices compared to cereal products, vegetables, and fruits, indicating they may be a better option for managing blood sugar levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Glycaemic index of South African foods determined in rural blacks--a population at low risk of diabetes. Walker, AR., Walker, BF.[2022]

Implementing a multidisciplinary approach in an urban community hospital led to significant improvements in glycemic control, with a notable reduction of 81.7 minutes in the time between insulin administration and meal delivery, enhancing patient care.

The study, which analyzed 180,431 glucose measurements from nearly 9,000 patients, demonstrated that these interventions effectively reduced average daily glucose levels and maintained low rates of hypoglycemia, indicating both safety and efficacy in managing inpatient diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

IMPACT OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROCESS IMPROVEMENT INTERVENTIONS ON GLUCOMETRICS IN A NONCRITICALLY ILL SETTING. Goswami, G., Scheinberg, N., Schechter, CB., et al.[2021]

In a pilot study involving 12 obese youth with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, consuming low glycemic index meals resulted in significantly lower mean daytime blood glucose levels.

The study also indicated a trend towards reduced variability in blood glucose levels, highlighting the potential benefits of low glycemic index diets for managing blood sugar in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High and low glycemic index mixed meals and blood glucose in youth with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Gellar, L., Nansel, TR.[2021]

A workshop designed to educate individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on the glycemic index (GI) led to a significant reduction in their dietary GI, from 58 to 54, at both 1 and 4 weeks post-education, indicating improved dietary choices.

Participants showed a marked increase in GI knowledge, with scores rising from 53.6% before the workshop to 87.6% four weeks later, demonstrating that the educational intervention was effective and well-received, as 28 out of 29 participants expressed satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of Glycemic Index Education in People Living with Type 2 Diabetes: Participant Satisfaction, Knowledge Uptake, and Application. M Grant, S., J Glenn, A., M S Wolever, T., et al.[2021]

The study identified KPK15 and Saleem 2000 as the best wheat varieties, and Sarhad white as the best maize variety for consumption by both normal individuals and diabetic patients, based on their favorable starch composition and glycemic index.

Glycemic index values for wheat ranged from 62.83 to 70.70, and for maize from 56.45 to 70.76, indicating that these varieties can be strategically chosen to help manage blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Starch composition, antioxidant potential, and glycemic indices of various varieties of Triticum aesitivum L. and Zea mays L. available in Pakistan. Aziz, MS., Nawaz, R., Haider, N., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 48 participants (21 healthy and 27 non-insulin-dependent diabetics), common Mexican foods like white and yellow corn tortillas, spaghetti, rice, and potatoes showed similar glycemic responses to white bread, indicating they may not significantly raise blood sugar levels.

Brown and black beans, as well as nopal (prickle pear cactus), demonstrated low glycemic and insulin indexes, suggesting they could be beneficial dietary options for managing blood sugar in diabetic individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The glycemic index of some foods common in Mexico]. Frati-Munari, AC., Roca-Vides, RA., López-Pérez, RJ., et al.[2016]

A new method was developed to incorporate glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) values into the 24-hour dietary recall interviews, which were conducted with 641 healthy adults, allowing for a more detailed assessment of carbohydrate intake.

This approach successfully matched GI values for 47.7% of carbohydrate-containing foods and estimated values for an additional 52.1%, enabling researchers to explore the relationship between dietary GI/GL and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Methodology for adding glycemic index and glycemic load values to 24-hour dietary recall database. Olendzki, BC., Ma, Y., Culver, AL., et al.[2018]

Health Canada found that including glycemic index (GI) values on food labels could be misleading due to the poor accuracy and precision of the GI measure for labeling purposes.

The GI does not account for variations in glycemic response based on the amount of food consumed, which could lead consumers to make food choices that do not align with national dietary guidelines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health Canada's evaluation of the use of glycemic index claims on food labels. Aziz, A., Dumais, L., Barber, J.[2023]

Citations

1. signos.com signos.com/foods/sweet-corn-glycemic-index

Sweet Corn Glycemic Index: Nutritional Facts - Signos The glycemic index of sweet corn indicates that it causes a moderate increase in blood glucose levels, making it a more balanced option compared ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-glycemic-index-2-2025-602cb

Sweet Corn for Glycemic Index · Info for Participants Research shows that a low glycemic index diet can help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels better. This suggests that sweet corn, if it ...

3. copilotiq.com copilotiq.com/blog/can-diabetics-eat-corn/

Can Diabetics Eat Corn? It is generally considered to have a moderate glycemic load value of 15 and a medium to high GI value of 60-85. Every 100 grams of sweet corn ...

4. healthline.com healthline.com/health/diabetes-corn

Diabetes and Corn: Limiting Diet to Control Blood Sugar Foods with a high-glycemic index (70 and above) can increase your blood sugar level. The glycemic index of corn is 52. Other related GI's ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2367101/

Acceptability of Lower Glycemic Index Foods in the ... Higher GI values indicate a greater increase in blood glucose following consumption. Substantial differences exist in the GI of carbohydrate-containing foods.

6. vinmec.com vinmec.com/eng/blog/can-diabetics-eat-boiled-corn-en

Can people with diabetes include boiled corn in their diet? The GI of boiled corn is 52. Therefore, it is a low-GI food that can be consumed by people with diabetes. Corn is also rich in carotenoids and ...

7. signos.com signos.com/foods/corn-glycemic-index

Corn Glycemic Index: Health Benefits - Signos Corn, a low glycemic index food on its own, is safe for people living with diabetes. When included in processed foods, the glycemic index of ...

8. mayoclinichealthsystem.org mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/corn-a-versatile-nutrition-choice

Corn: A versatile, nutrition choice Corn has many health benefits. It consists primarily of insoluble fiber, which makes it a low-glycemic index food.

9. fitterfly.com fitterfly.com/blog/is-sweet-corn-good-for-diabetes/

Is Sweet Corn Good for Diabetes? Sweet corn does have a low GI score and low glycemic load of 8.5. This implies that it doesn't bring about a rushed or sudden spike in your blood glucose ...

10. va.gov va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/glycemic-index.asp

Glycemic Index - Whole Health Library The glycemic index of a food refers to the effect the food has on the bodys blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are raised after a person eats foods ...