Scientists from the University Austral in Valdivia, Chile, report that data from a single dose human study and animal experiments indicated that the Delphinol-branded maqui berry extract lowered blood glucose in humans by inhibiting the sodium glucose co-transporter, which facilitates glucose uptake from food into intestinal tissue and the blood.
“We have discovered a unique mechanism for the dietary supplement Delphinol, which may help control blood glucose also in response to refined sugar consumption,” said Professor Rafael Burgos, corresponding author of the new paper published in Panminerva Medica.
Delphinol
HP Ingredients launched an organic and Kosher Maqui Superberry liquid concentrate powder in 2010, but Delphinol, which was launched in the fall of last year, is said to be 10 times stronger than the previous product. It is standardized to 35% Anthocyanins, and 28% delphinidin.
The ingredient is manufactured exclusively by Maqui New Life (MNL), and is for food, beverage, and supplements. Maqui berry is currently on the approved US import fruits and vegetable list, and GRAS is not needed, the company has previously stated.
Hector Bandelier, CEO of MNL Group Switzerland, welcomed the results, and said: “Delphinol gives formulators the possibility to create complex sugar-control products that are not limited to addressing starchy foods, but to additionally control refined sugars such as sucrose and pure glucose.”
MNL funded the study.
Study details
For the single dose human study, the researchers recruited 10 healthy volunteers with moderate glucose intolerance and randomly assigned them to receive a beverage containing 200 mg of Delphinol or placebo 30 minutes after eating rice. Results showed placebo did not affect the typical blood glucose peak 30 minutes after eating the rice, but the maqui berry extract showed only a minimal increase. Only from two hours after rice consumption onwards did the blood glucose level of the Delphinol-group align with values of the control group.
In addition, insulin levels did not increase significantly with Delphinol treatment until 90 minutes after eating the rice, said the researchers, at which time the levels matched those observed in the placebo group.
Lab experiments with diabetic rats indicated that delphinidin inhibited the sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT).
“Our result suggests that delphinidin, the main anthocyanin in Delphinol reduces the glucose absorption in intestine by interaction with sodium glucose co-transporter SGLT-1,” wrote Prof Burgos and his co-authors. “Importantly, a single dose of Delphinol was sufficient to significantly lower postprandial blood glucose and -insulin increase after meals, and thus Delphinol may represent a helpful dietary complement for maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.”
“Future research on Delphinol may establish long term effects on blood sugar level control, such as for HbA1c values and other metabolic parameters, especially also in a larger cohort.”
Source: Panminerva Medica
Volume 56 (2 Suppl 3), Pages 1-7
"Delphinol standardized maqui berry extract reduces postprandial blood glucose increase in individuals with impaired glucose regulation by novel mechanism of sodium glucose co-transporter inhibition"
Authors: J. Hidalgo, C. Flores, M.A. Hidalgo, M. Perez, et al.