Isomalt in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes
What it found
In people with type 2 diabetes, swapping higher glycaemic carbohydrates for 30 g a day of isomalt for 12 weeks came with lower blood sugar and related markers.
The study was open, so participants and researchers knew which foods were being eaten.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood sugar control
After 12 weeks, glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine and fasting blood glucose were all lower. Routine blood measurements stayed unchanged.
Insulin markers
Insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were lower after 12 weeks.
Oxidised LDL
Oxidised LDL, described as an atherosclerosis risk factor, was lower after 12 weeks.
Fatty acids in women
Nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were lower in the female participants.
Blood lipids
Blood lipids remained unchanged over the 12 weeks.
Tolerance
The test diet was well accepted and tolerated.
What the authors conclude
“The substitution of glycaemic ingredients by isomalt and the consequent on reduction of the glycaemic load within otherwise unchanged diet was accompanied by significant improvement in the metabolic control of diabetes.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say the substitution of glycaemic ingredients by isomalt, and the resulting reduction in glycaemic load within an otherwise unchanged diet, was accompanied by significant improvement in the metabolic control of diabetes.
- They note that the present study is in agreement with findings of previous reported studies in human subjects demonstrating beneficial effects of low glycaemic diets on glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
How it was done
Isomalt is a very low glycaemic sugar replacer, and the authors wanted to see what happens to metabolic control in type 2 diabetes when foods with isomalt replace higher glycaemic ingredients like sucrose and starch hydrolysates.
Thirty-three patients with type 2 diabetes ate foods containing 30 g a day of isomalt instead of higher glycaemic carbohydrates for 12 weeks. Metformin and/or thiazolidindiones were the only oral antidiabetics taken during the study. Otherwise they kept their usual diet but were told not to eat extra sweetened foods.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The study was open, so participants and researchers knew who was eating the isomalt foods, which can influence what is reported.
- It tested one dose, 30 g a day for 12 weeks, in people with type 2 diabetes, so it cannot show what other doses or longer periods would do.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Würzburg, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Improved metabolic control after 12-week dietary intervention with low glycaemic isomalt in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Type
- Clinical trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Holub I, Gostner A, Hessdörfer S, et al (2009). Improved metabolic control after 12-week dietary intervention with low glycaemic isomalt in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1234107PubMed 19701877DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error