Pomegranate fruits and products, including juice, tea, wine and extracts are widely consumed and recognized for their health benefits. Pomegranate fruit possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. The effects of pomegranate on type 2 diabetic (T2DM) conditions have previously been reported. Although 8 oz. of Pom juice (PJ) contains 36.9 g of sugar, 12-week PomJ supplementation did not change plasma advanced glycated end-products, fasting glucose and HbA1C, but reduced lipid peroxidation in T2D subjects. Additionally, acute PJ consumption has been shown to lower postprandial glycemic response of a meal with high glycemic index (GI) and lower fasting blood glucose, and long-term PomJ consumption did not worsen diabetic markers. However, a large knowledge gap still exists regarding the form of sugars in PJ and the hormonal responses to PJ consumption in different physiological conditions. Therefore currently the consumption of PJ is not recommended for individuals with T2DM. This clinical study will focus on the short-term effects of PJ consumption on different diabetic variables to further evaluate the health benefits of PJ for T2DM.
This study aims to measure the effects of PJ vs. sugar on glucose and insulin levels in apparently healthy normal weight and prediabetic overweight and obese subjects. Participants will be asked to consume one serving of PJ, sugar mix and water separated by one week of beige diet without PJ consumption (crossover design). The PJ will be provided by POMWonderful. Timed blood collections over a three-hour period following the juice/sugar/water consumption will be used to measure how PJ vs. sugar mix vs. water affects glucose metabolism/insulin sensitivity in human subjects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
42
Drink 8 oz pomegranate juice
Drink 8 oz water
Drink 8 oz of water with 18.6 g of glucose + 18.3 g of fructose dissolved in
UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, 1000 Veteran Ave.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Number of participants with acute response to sugar water vs. pom juice vs. water
Compare the difference in blood glucose response to consuming PomJ compared to the same amount of sugar (fructose and glucose) mixed in water in a cross over study design
Time frame: 2 hours
Number of participants with hormonal changes in response to sugar water vs. pom juice vs. water
Compare the plasma concentration of principle hormones involved in glucose regulation (insulin, C-peptide, glucagon) , gut hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) and triglycerides.
Time frame: 15 days
Number of participants with acute response of plasma nitric oxide (NO) from sugar water vs. pom juice vs. water
Compare the acute response of plasma nitric oxide (NO) in participants who consume sugar alone, water alone or pomegranate juice
Time frame: 2 hours
Impact of gut microbiome in glycemic response to pom juice vs. sugar water
Compare the glycemic response and the ability to form microbiote urolithin from pomegranate ellagatanins in participants who consume pom juice vs. water.
Time frame: 15 days
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