Researchers from Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health, UK, and ingredient supplier Phynova Group Limited conducted the double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, repeat-measure, crossover design trial to test the efficacy of the white mulberry extract at different doses with meals containing carbohydrates, proteins and fat.
Wouter Claerhout, chief marketing officer at Phynova explained it is imperative that the team ensures Reducose is effective at the right dose, "in order to protect customers and their brands, since consumers who use Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) can see the strong efficacy of Reducose immediately and from the first dose.”
Andrew Gallagher, global head of science at the firm, added: “This is the second time that Reducose has proven itself in a clinical study with real meal conditions. The Gheldof study by Nestlé also showed similar results with 250mg Reducose 5% in a meal that included rice, bread, curry sauce and chicken.”
The study, funded by Phynova, also demonstrated the efficacy of Reducose does not appear to be overly impacted by the quantity of food eaten as the reduction in post-prandial glucose was of a similar scale as seen with smaller carbohydrate loads.
Spiking interest
As predicted by Phynova, interest in blood sugar spikes has taken off in the last couple of years, with the proliferation of CGMs.
The firm has noted the uptick in enquiries in 2024 alone.
“The pull for Reducose has increased dramatically in the last months," Wouter told NutraIngredients. "We just witnessed our busiest ever Vitafoods in Geneva with formulators from all markets eager to incorporate Reducose into their formulas.
“The significance of blood sugar as foundational to health and wellbeing is increasingly being understood by consumers, in part thanks to books like ‘Glucose Revolution’ by Jessie Inchauspé, aka the GlucoseGoddess, who has more than 4million followers on Instagram.
“It’s a testimony to the science and efficacy of Reducose that Jessie is launching her own brand in June, called ‘Anti-Spike Formula – works within minutes’, with Reducose inside.”
The study
A total of 37 healthy individuals (men and women aged 18-56) completed the study. Participants consumed capsules containing either 200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg Reducose or placebo before a test meal consisting of 150 g white bread and egg mayo filler.
Capillary blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals in the first hour and at 30-min intervals over the second and third hours to determine glucose and plasma insulin levels.
The consumption of all three doses of Reducose resulted in significantly lower blood glucose and plasma insulin levels compared to placebo.
All three doses (200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg) of Reducose significantly lowered glucose iAUC 120 by 30%, 33% and 32%, respectively, compared with placebo.
All three doses significantly lowered the plasma insulin iAUC 120 by 31% (p = 0.024), 34% (p = 0.004) and 38% (p < 0.001), respectively.
Decoy effect
The extract is said to acts like a decoy, distracting alpha-glucosidase (digestive enzymes) to prevent them digesting carbohydrates in the small intestine and allowing large amounts to pass through unaltered, thus preventing a sharp spike in blood glucose and insulin levels.
Undigested carbohydrates pass into the large intestine and become food for the gut microbiome and protect against the build-up of pathogenic bacteria.
There are no apparent side-effects as the residue is absorbed through the gut wall into the blood and excreted unaltered through the kidneys and urine.
Building science
Phynova has been awarded a grant by Innovate UK to study the effects of Reducose when incorporated into diets. Together with researchers from Oxford Brookes University, the team will track the effects of Reducose on participants’ blood sugar levels through CGMs as well as long-term effects on weight, body composition, metabolic health, and the microbiome. The recruitment for this study will start in the coming weeks.
The team will also continue to invest in Reducose science for broader metabolic health, for which healthy blood sugar is a foundational bedrock, said Claerhout.
Source: Nutrients
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111670
“Understanding the Impact of Different Doses of Reducose® Mulberry Leaf Extract on Blood Glucose and Insulin Responses after Eating a Complex Meal: Results from a Double-Blind, Randomised, Crossover Trial”
Authors: Thondre, P.S.; Butler, I.; Tammam, J.; Achebe, I.; Young, E.; Lane, M.; Gallagher, A.