Health · Medical Research · 16 hrs ago
Brazzein-sweetened ice cream linked to smaller blood sugar rises in a study
Researchers in Russia tested brazzein, a sweet protein first found in the West African oubli plant, as a possible sugar substitute.
They studied 101 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a condition involving fat buildup in the liver that is often linked to diabetes and obesity.
On three separate days, participants ate vanilla ice cream sweetened with sugar, brazzein, or brazzein plus the fibre inulin.
Blood sugar rises after eating were lower with both brazzein versions than with the sugar version.
The difference was most noticeable among participants with type 2 diabetes.
The results suggest brazzein may help reduce blood sugar spikes, but the trial tested only a single serving of ice cream on each day.
The researchers say longer-term studies are needed to find out whether regularly replacing sugar with brazzein brings lasting health benefits.
A study found lower post-meal blood sugar rises after adults with a liver condition ate ice cream sweetened with brazzein instead of sugar.
The reductions were most notable among participants with type 2 diabetes.
The randomised trial involved 101 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
Participants tried vanilla ice cream with sugar, brazzein, and brazzein plus inulin on three separate days.
The researchers said longer-term studies are needed to assess whether replacing sugar has sustained health benefits.
- Who
- Researchers at Russia’s Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety conducted the study with 101 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
- What
- The study compared blood sugar rises after participants ate ice cream sweetened with sugar, brazzein, or brazzein and inulin.
- When
- The study’s publication date is not stated in the article.
- Where
- The study was conducted by a research centre in Russia.
- Why
- Researchers examined whether brazzein could reduce blood sugar rises after eating ice cream.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Longer-term studies are needed to determine whether repeated substitution of sucrose-containing desserts with brazzein-sweetened alternatives translates into sustained metabolic, hepatic, microbiome, or behavioural benefits
potential undesirable effects
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Participants
- 101 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
- Ice cream serving
- 100 grams of vanilla ice cream
- Study conditions
- Sugar; brazzein; brazzein with inulin
- Trial design
- Randomised trial
- Study journal
- Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
Sources
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