Arabic coffee increases the glycemic index but not insulinemic index of dates

Objectives: To determine whether the glycemic index (GI) and insulinemic index (II) of dates could be altered by Arabic coffee consumption. Methods: This randomized cross-over study was conducted at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom from November 2009 to February 2010. Healthy subjects (5 males, 5 females) were recruited to the study. They were fed Khulas dates either with water, or with Arabic coffee. Plasma glucose and insulin responses were measured using standardized methods. Responses were compared with a pure glucose solution matched for available carbohydrate. The GI and II were calculated using standardized methods, and results were presented as means and standard error of mean. Glucose and insulin responses were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The GI of dates was 55 ± 6, which increased to 63 ± 5 for dates consumed with Arabic coffee (p=0.08). No significant difference was observed between the II for dates, and the II of dates consumed with Arabic coffee (p=1.00). Conclusion: Arabic coffee consumption modestly increased the plasma glucose response of dates compared to that of dates consumed with water. Insulin levels were not significantly affected. The modestly higher glycemic response to dates in the presence of Arabic coffee indicates that this custom may be considered detrimental to health

Arabic coffee increases the glycemic index but not insulinemic index of dates

Objectives: To determine whether the glycemic index (GI) and insulinemic index (II) of dates could be altered by Arabic coffee consumption. Methods: This randomized cross-over study was conducted at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom from November 2009 to February 2010. Healthy subjects (5 males, 5 females) were recruited to the study. They were fed Khulas dates either with water, or with Arabic coffee. Plasma glucose and insulin responses were measured using standardized methods. Responses were compared with a pure glucose solution matched for available carbohydrate. The GI and II were calculated using standardized methods, and results were presented as means and standard error of mean. Glucose and insulin responses were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The GI of dates was 55 ± 6, which increased to 63 ± 5 for dates consumed with Arabic coffee (p=0.08). No significant difference was observed between the II for dates, and the II of dates consumed with Arabic coffee (p=1.00). Conclusion: Arabic coffee consumption modestly increased the plasma glucose response of dates compared to that of dates consumed with water. Insulin levels were not significantly affected. The modestly higher glycemic response to dates in the presence of Arabic coffee indicates that this custom may be considered detrimental to health

A study of Hassawi rice (Oryza sativa L.) in terms of its carbohydrate hydrolysis (in vitro) and glycaemic and insulinaemic indices (in vivo)

Background/Objectives: A high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes exists in Saudi Arabia. Epidemiological evidence suggests that low glycaemic index (GI) diets reduce diabetes risk. Yet, little is known about the GI of traditional Saudi Arabian staples such as Hassawi rice (HR). HR was evaluated in terms of its GI and insulinaemic indices (II). Comparisons were made in vitro assessing glucose released enzymatically. A long grain rice variety available in both the UK and Saudi was studied as a comparison. Subjects/Methods: For GI and II measurements, HR, Uncle Ben’s rice (UBR) and a standard glucose solution were consumed by healthy subjects (n=13) on 7 randomised occasions. Capillary bloods were collected at specific times over 2 h after food intake. FAO/WHO protocols were employed to determine GI and II. For the in vitro studies, cooked rice was incubated with hydrolytic enzymes under standardised conditions. Samples were taken at t=20 & t=120 min and rapidly available glucose (RAG) and slowly available glucose (SAG) were computed. Results: Values of RAG and SAG were lower for HR compared to their respective values for UBR (p0.05) despite a lower insulin response noted for HR (p=0.007). Conclusions: HR had a similar GI to UBR although a lower insulin response was evident. RAG and SAG values were different for the two rice varieties despite similar GI values. These differences may be important in terms of their metabolic impact and outcome on diabetes

A study of Hassawi rice (Oryza sativa L.) in terms of its carbohydrate hydrolysis (in vitro) and glycaemic and insulinaemic indices (in vivo)

Background/Objectives: A high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes exists in Saudi Arabia. Epidemiological evidence suggests that low glycaemic index (GI) diets reduce diabetes risk. Yet, little is known about the GI of traditional Saudi Arabian staples such as Hassawi rice (HR). HR was evaluated in terms of its GI and insulinaemic indices (II). Comparisons were made in vitro assessing glucose released enzymatically. A long grain rice variety available in both the UK and Saudi was studied as a comparison. Subjects/Methods: For GI and II measurements, HR, Uncle Ben’s rice (UBR) and a standard glucose solution were consumed by healthy subjects (n=13) on 7 randomised occasions. Capillary bloods were collected at specific times over 2 h after food intake. FAO/WHO protocols were employed to determine GI and II. For the in vitro studies, cooked rice was incubated with hydrolytic enzymes under standardised conditions. Samples were taken at t=20 & t=120 min and rapidly available glucose (RAG) and slowly available glucose (SAG) were computed. Results: Values of RAG and SAG were lower for HR compared to their respective values for UBR (p0.05) despite a lower insulin response noted for HR (p=0.007). Conclusions: HR had a similar GI to UBR although a lower insulin response was evident. RAG and SAG values were different for the two rice varieties despite similar GI values. These differences may be important in terms of their metabolic impact and outcome on diabetes