80 Participants Needed

Snack Ingredients for Blood Sugar Control

EB
DR
Overseen ByDenise Rodriguez, BS
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes individuals who are routinely taking medications known to affect glucose response, so you may need to stop such medications to participate.

What evidence supports the effectiveness of honey and sucrose as treatments for blood sugar control?

Research shows that honey can lower blood sugar levels more gently than sucrose, making it a better option for managing blood sugar. In one study, honey reduced blood sugar levels significantly in healthy individuals, while sucrose did not adversely affect short-term blood sugar control when consumed in small amounts.12345

Is honey safe for human consumption compared to sucrose?

Research suggests that honey is generally safe for human consumption and may have a gentler effect on blood sugar levels compared to sucrose. It also does not adversely impact blood lipids (fats in the blood) and may be a favorable substitute for sucrose in terms of reduced energy intake and sugars.46789

How does the snack ingredient treatment for blood sugar control differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it uses yogurt fortified with honey from bees fed on specific plant extracts, such as green walnut, to control blood sugar levels. Unlike traditional treatments like insulin or synthetic drugs, this approach leverages natural ingredients to achieve a significant reduction in blood sugar, as demonstrated in a study where participants consuming green walnut honey showed a 22.45% decrease in blood sugar levels over 21 days.15101112

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to compare two snacks, one with honey and nuts and the other with sugar and nuts, on glucose levels before and after eating these snacks.The investigators hypothesize that honey and nuts will have an additive effect on the reduction of postprandial glucose response. The investigators further hypothesize that consumption of honey paired with nuts will retain the benefit of sugar consumption in satiety and reduction of metabolic stress.

Research Team

KL

Kevin Laugero, PhD

Principal Investigator

USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

MK

Mary Kable, PhD

Principal Investigator

USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

NK

Nancy Keim, PhD

Principal Investigator

USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for pre-menopausal women without chronic diseases like heart or kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues needing medication, bowel diseases, or recent major surgeries. They must be willing to eat snacks with honey, sugar, and nuts but can't have nut allergies or a BMI <18.5 or >40.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a woman and have not gone through menopause.
You are open to consuming snacks with honey, table sugar, and tree nuts.

Exclusion Criteria

You are allergic to tree nuts.
Women who have been pregnant or nursing within the last 6 months or plan to become pregnant during the trial will be ineligible
I have gone through menopause.
See 5 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume honey and nuts or sugar and nuts, with continuous glucose monitoring

8 weeks
Daily visits for snack consumption

Wash-out

A wash-out period between treatment phases

2 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Honey
  • Honey plus almonds
  • Sucrose
  • Sucrose plus almonds
Trial Overview The study compares the effects of two snacks on blood sugar levels: one snack combines honey with nuts and the other combines table sugar with nuts. The goal is to see if honey and nuts together better manage glucose after eating compared to just sugar and nuts.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Sucrose alone and sucrose with almonds, then honey alone and honey with almondsExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Participants will be provided sucrose alone once each day for 3 days, then sucrose plus almonds for an additional 3 days while wearing a continuous glucose monitor. After a 14 day wash-out, participants will be provided honey alone once each day for 3 days, then honey plus almonds for an additional 3 days while wearing a continuous glucose monitor.
Group II: Honey alone and honey with almonds, then sucrose alone and sucrose with almondsExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Participants will be provided honey alone once each day for 3 days, then honey plus almonds for an additional 3 days while wearing a continuous glucose monitor. After a 14 day wash-out, participants will be provided sucrose alone once each day for 3 days, then sucrose plus almonds for an additional 3 days while wearing a continuous glucose monitor.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
64
Recruited
19,100+

National Honey Board

Collaborator

Trials
4
Recruited
320+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 20 children with type 1 diabetes and 10 healthy controls, honey was found to have a lower glycemic index (GI) and peak incremental index (PII) compared to sucrose, suggesting it may be a safer sugar substitute for managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
While honey did not significantly increase C-peptide levels in diabetic patients compared to glucose or sucrose, it did lead to a significant increase in C-peptide levels in healthy controls, indicating a different metabolic response that could be beneficial for non-diabetic individuals.
The glycemic and peak incremental indices of honey, sucrose and glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: effects on C-peptide level-a pilot study.Abdulrhman, M., El-Hefnawy, M., Hussein, R., et al.[2022]
In a 5-day double-blind study with 16 participants who have insulin-dependent diabetes, consuming snacks with up to 7% added sucrose did not negatively impact blood glucose control compared to snacks sweetened with aspartame.
Both groups showed no significant differences in blood glucose levels or serum fructosamine concentrations before and after the study, indicating that moderate sucrose intake can be safely included in the diet without compromising short-term metabolic control.
Effect of sucrose-containing snacks on blood glucose control.Wise, JE., Keim, KS., Huisinga, JL., et al.[2019]
In a study of 48 type 2 diabetic patients over 8 weeks, those who consumed natural honey showed significant reductions in body weight, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides, along with an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Despite these positive effects on body weight and blood lipids, the honey group also experienced a significant increase in hemoglobin A1C levels, suggesting that diabetic patients should consume honey cautiously.
Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial.Bahrami, M., Ataie-Jafari, A., Hosseini, S., et al.[2022]

References

The glycemic and peak incremental indices of honey, sucrose and glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: effects on C-peptide level-a pilot study. [2022]
Effect of sucrose-containing snacks on blood glucose control. [2019]
Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial. [2022]
Differential effects of honey, sucrose, and fructose on blood sugar levels. [2006]
Functional Yogurt Fortified with Honey Produced by Feeding Bees Natural Plant Extracts for Controlling Human Blood Sugar Level. [2022]
Combination of honey with metformin enhances glucose metabolism and ameliorates hepatic and nephritic dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic mice. [2020]
Feeding pattern, biochemical, anthropometric and histological effects of prolonged ad libitum access to sucrose, honey and glucose-fructose solutions in Wistar rats. [2021]
8.Russia (Federation)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[Comparative study of postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetic patients after consumption of mono- and disaccharides and sweeteners]. [2006]
Honey does not adversely impact blood lipids of adult men and women: a randomized cross-over trial. [2021]
Metabolic effects of honey (alone or combined with other foods) in type II diabetics. [2019]
Application potential for some sugar substitutes in some low energy and diabetic foods. [2019]
12.Russia (Federation)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[Effects of various food products on blood sugar level in patients with diabetes mellitus and obesity]. [2006]
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