The effect of glucomannan on plasma glucose response in young, healthy females

Abstract

Introduction Cardiovascular disease secondary to type 2 diabetes mellitus is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United Kingdom (UK) and worldwide. Poor glycaemic control is implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes-related cardiovascular disease. The efficacy of glucomannan, a soluble dietary fibre, in mitigating postprandial glycaemic response has not yet been determined. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the acute effects of glucomannan supplementation on postprandial plasma glucose response in young, healthy females through the use of a test meal supplemented with glucomannan, compared with placebo. Methods This study was a randomised, double-blind crossover study. Participants attended two study visits and received either the control or test meal at each. Blood glucose monitoring took place every 20 minutes postprandially over a period of two hours. Differences between control and intervention were analysed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Results Mean peak blood glucose concentration was higher by 1.1±0.20mmol/L when consuming control compared with intervention; this difference was not statistically significant. (p=0.08). Mean difference between fasting and peak blood glucose concentrations for control vs intervention was 1.36±0.32mmol/L; this was not statistically significant (p=0.10). Participants reported no adverse effects. Conclusion This study did not yield statistically significant results. However, some results may be considered clinically significant; e.g. a difference of 1.36±0.32mmol/L between mean fasting and mean peak blood glucose concentrations when comparing intervention vs control. This study may provide a basis on which future investigation of glucomannan can be built. Key words Type two diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, postprandial hyperglycaemia, dietary fibre, glucomannan