Background: This study was done to determine the effects of a low glycemic index drink (LGI) on non-fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. Diabetes management has been associated with foods that has a low glycemic response as research has shown that it improves the condition. Nutrition therapy has been one of the first option of treatment for the prevention and management of T2D. Foods with carbohydrates that are slowly metabolized, digested and absorbed, have been linked with reducing the risk of T2D by improving insulin sensitivity as well as lowering blood glucose fluctuations. By developing and assessing the impact of a LGI drink in type 2 diabetic rats, a healthy and therapeutic nutritional option can be available to diabetics on the local market, further aiding in the management of T2D.
Methods: For a gender unbiased research, both male and female streptozotocin induced T2D Sprague-Dawley rats (32 each) weighing 195.5±27.7g were assessed, with and without the LGI drink. Non-fasting blood glucose levels were measured in the blood collected from the tail, once weekly for twelve (12) weeks using a portable glucometer (Glucolab Blood Glucose Monitoring System).
Results: Results showed that there was a significant (p<0.05) and consistent reduction of non-fasting blood glucose levels (NFBG) over the experimental period for the diabetic group that were fed LGI drink; with average blood glucose levels for the final month being 6.75±0.79 mmol/L as compared to the diabetic rats (control) which averaged blood glucose levels of 31.39 ± 3.94 mmol/L. Results were compared to known goal blood glucose levels for diabetics of normo- glycemic levels of 4.0-7.7 mmol/L.
Conclusion: This low GI drink may be useful for type 2 diabetic patients that are seeking a healthy alternative to the high carbohydrate beverages currently available in Jamaica as it lowered NFBG levels in type 2 diabetic group to that of normo- glycaemic levels 4.0-7.7 mmol/L. The availability of a LGI drink on the Jamaican market may aid in the maintenance and management of T2D.
