Palatinose-blended sugar compared with sucrose: different effects on insulin sensitivity after 12 weeks supplementation in sedentary adults

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of daily palatinose intake on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome in sedentary non-obese Japanese adults. METHODS: Japanese adults (40 females and 10 males, age: 53 +/- 9 years, range: 31-72 years old) were randomized into two groups for a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study and given either 40 g/day palatinose-blended sugar (PS group) or 40 g/day sucrose (S group) in their diet for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After the intervention, the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) had significantly decreased only in the PS group; the inter-group difference was significant at P = 0.006. Although the S group showed a significant increase in the leptin concentration and the systolic blood pressure, the PS group showed no significant changes; the inter-group differences were significant at P = 0.018 and P = 0.037, respectively. CONCLUSION: Palatinose intake possibly improves insulin sensitivity when compared with sucrose intake.