Sweetened Dried Cranberries May Benefit Type 2 Diabetics

Consumption of high fibre SDCs was found to beneficially impact both peak blood glucose and insulin concentrations, and resulted in the avoidance of the extreme peaks that typically occur following the consumption of larger quantities of simple sugars.

22 Jul 2009 Research has revealed that less sugar high fibre SDCs (sweetened dried cranberries) may benefit type-2 diabetics by delivering healthier glycemic and insulinemic responses and offering protection against UTIs. Polyphenols present in the cranberry are known to reduce antioxidant stress and combat urinary tract infection. According to the study, Ocean Spray’s less sugar high fibre SDC could be useful for improving fruit consumption among type-2 diabetics – a group prone to cardiovascular disease.

The study sought to determine the effects of a reduced calorie SDC on glucose and insulin levels in sufferers of type-2 diabetes. Type-2 diabetics are generally insulin insensitive, making it difficult for them to absorb glucose from the blood and prevent deleteriously high blood glucose levels. A high fibre SDC containing less sugar was developed to potentially benefit persons suffering from Type-2 diabetes. Consumption of high fibre SDCs was found to beneficially impact both peak blood glucose and insulin concentrations, and resulted in the avoidance of the extreme peaks that typically occur following the consumption of larger quantities of simple sugars.

Participants in the study were allocated a serving of less sugar high fibre SDCs, original SDCs or raw cranberries. White bread was used as a negative control based on standard glycemic index study protocol. Insulin and glucose were measured prior to and at intervals of 30, 60 and 120 minutes following consumption of the snack. Less sugar high fibre SDC promoted healthy glycemic and insulinemic responses, better than both white bread and regular SDC and second only to raw cranberries, which are less palatable and more difficult to incorporate into everyday products.

“The less sugar high fibre SDC was developed with the needs of the type-2 diabetic in mind.” comments Christina Khoo, PhD, Ocean Spray’s research sciences manager. “As more and more sufferers are becoming reliant on medication to regulate blood sugar levels, the importance of diet in helping manage the condition is easily forgotten. For example, it is essential to plan carbohydrate and sweet consumption in a way that helps control blood sugar. Moreover, consuming vital flavonoids delivered through fruit and vegetables helps fight cell damage throughout the body caused by free-radicals. In addition to being rich in these antioxidants, cranberries also contain unique A-linked compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs), which prevent bacteria from adhering to cell walls and helping remove the potential to cause infections in different parts of the body.

“Fibre is another component lacking in the diet of many diabetics. The added fibre in the SDC may slow absorption of glucose, helping regulate blood sugar. The combination of less sugar and high fibre could be of benefit to the type-2 diabetic, as our research has shown. SDCs are ideal to snack on throughout the day, either on their own or as a fruit inclusion in a variety of products such as bagels and muesli bars as part of a healthy, well balanced diet.”