Xanthan gum liquid thickener helps lower blood sugar levels

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have shown that xanthan gum liquid thickeners can lower blood sugar levels after eating

Type 2 diabetes is a common lifestyle disease that is prevalent
worldwide.
It often leads to complications, such as heart disease, and increases the risk of death, but preventive measures, such as a healthy diet, can reduce these risks
.
Now, a Japanese study has shown that xanthan gum-based liquid thickeners can lower blood sugar levels
after eating.

Some studies have shown that heart disease and metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, are linked
to blood sugar levels after eating.
However, certain foods, such as condiment vinegar, have been reported to help reduce these levels
if consumed with meals.
Another food that produces a similar effect is dietary fiber
.
These fibers are also thought to increase insulin response, improve fat metabolism, and have a positive effect
on the gut microbiome.

One of these soluble fibers, xanthan gum, is used in a range of foods, including liquid thickeners, to prevent aspiration (choking)
in patients with difficulty swallowing.
However, the biological effects of liquid thickeners on postprandial blood glucose levels, gastrointestinal gene expression, and gut microbiota have not been fully elucidated
.
The aim of this study was to determine whether liquid thickeners had additional effects, particularly on postprandial blood glucose levels
associated with gene expression in the gastrointestinal and gut microbiome.

Rats were divided into two groups; Thickening with xanthan gum-based liquid thickener or normal saline for 5 weeks
.
An oral glucose tolerance test
was performed 4 weeks after the start of the experiment.
Blood glucose levels in rats were measured before glucose injection and at regular intervals after glucose injection
.
RNA is collected from tissues from different parts of the gastrointestinal system for qPCR
.
Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of gene expression in the ileal and gut microbiome using next-generation sequencers enables comprehensive analysis of microbial gene expression and DNA origin
by decoding a large number of DNA sequences at high speed.

The results showed that rats given thickened fluid had significantly lower
blood glucose levels 60 and 90 minutes after glucose administration.
Comprehensive analysis showed that cholesterol homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism and glucose metabolism were enhanced
in the ileum.

After drinking this thickened liquid, the composition of the gut microbes also changes
.
There has been an increase in the number of two "good" gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids that protect gut and pancreatic cells and aid insulin secretion
.
Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are global phenomena that are increasing
in many parts of the world.
This study shows that xanthan gum-based liquid thickeners prevent aspiration and help improve glycolipid metabolism
.