Isomaltulose vs sucrose in type 2 diabetes over 12 weeks
What it found
In 101 people with type 2 diabetes, replacing 50 g of sucrose a day with isomaltulose for 12 weeks did not change HbA1c, but triglycerides were lower in the isomaltulose group.
The authors say the swap was not enough to make a clear difference to blood sugar control.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood sugar control
HbA1c at 12 weeks was 7.39% in the sucrose group and 7.24% in the isomaltulose group, with no significant difference between the groups. There was also no significant change in HbA1c within either group over the study.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides at 12 weeks were significantly lower in the isomaltulose group than in the sucrose group. Within the sucrose group, triglycerides rose steadily over the study, while the isomaltulose group showed a tendency toward lower levels.
Tolerance
Both diets were well tolerated by the participants, regardless of their antidiabetic medication. Ten patients dropped out for various reasons, but not because of side effects.
What the authors conclude
- They suggest that a more marked modification of the dietary glycemic index may be required to achieve a clinically significant improvement in blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
- They note that the principle of isomaltulose action is unquestionable.
How it was done
A low glycemic diet is recommended for people with type 2 diabetes to reduce high blood sugar after meals and improve blood sugar control. Isomaltulose is a sugar with delayed digestion and a low glycemic index of 32, so the authors wanted to test whether replacing sucrose with it would improve metabolic control.
One hundred ten patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to eat sweet foods and drinks containing either 50 g a day of isomaltulose or sucrose for 12 weeks, while keeping their usual diet. The final analysis included 101 patients. HbA1c at 12 weeks was the main outcome measured.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a 12-week trial, so it cannot show what would happen over a longer period.
- The study cannot show whether a larger reduction in dietary glycemic index would improve blood sugar control.
- The trial cannot show whether the lower triglyceride levels would last or lead to health benefits.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Technische Universität München, Germany
The paper
- Title
- Metabolic effects of replacing sucrose by isomaltulose in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Brunner S, Holub I, Theis S, et al (2012). Metabolic effects of replacing sucrose by isomaltulose in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind trial. Diabetes care. doi:10.2337/dc11-1485Free full textPubMed 22492584DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error