Daily consumption of one teaspoon of trehalose can help maintain glucose homeostasis: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Background: Trehalose is a natural disaccharide that is widely distributed. A previous study has shown that daily consumption of 10 g of trehalose improves glucose tolerance in individuals with signs of metabolic syndrome. In the present study, we determined whether a lower dose (3.3 g/day) of trehalose improves glucose tolerance in healthy Japanese volunteers. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of healthy Japanese participants (n = 50). Each consumed 3.3 g of trehalose (n = 25) or sucrose (n = 25) daily for 78 days. Their body compositions were assessed following 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks; and serum biochemical parameters were assayed and oral 75-g glucose tolerance tests were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: There were similar changes in body composition and serum biochemistry consistent with established seasonal variations in both groups, but there were no differences in any of these parameters between the two groups. However, whereas after 12 weeks of sucrose consumption, the plasma glucose concentration 2 h after a 75-g glucose load was significantly higher than the fasting concentration, after 12 weeks of trehalose consumption the fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations were similar. Furthermore, an analysis of the participants with relatively high postprandial blood glucose showed that the plasma glucose concentration 2 h after a 75-g glucose load was significantly lower in the trehalose group than in the sucrose group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that trehalose helps lower postprandial blood glucose in healthy humans with higher postprandial glucose levels within the normal range, and may therefore contribute to the prevention of pathologies that are predisposed to by postprandial hyperglycemia,, even if the daily intake of trehalose is only 3.3 g, an amount that is easily incorporated into a meal.

Individual and joint effects of trehalose and glutamate on diabetic retinopathy: a propensity score-matched case–control study

“…Several studies report that trehalose regulation can counteract high-sugar-diet and activate hepatic fasting-like effect ( 36 , 37 ). Recently, A randomized control study demonstrates that moderate consumption of trehalose is helpful to maintain glucose homeostasis, which plays a vital role in the process of DR, in healthy people ( 38 ). Meanwhile, available evidence has also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of trehalose in retinal and neurodegenerative diseases ( 17 , 39 ).…”

Rare sugars and their health effects in humans: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence from human trials

“… 23 Yoshizane et al similarly showed that, in healthy individuals, consumption of 3.3 g of trehalose for 12 weeks led to plasma glucose levels 2 hours after an OGTT being closer to fasting plasma glucose levels, compared with consumption of sucrose, indicating a benefit in lowering postprandial glucose levels. 24 Conversely, Kaplon et al compared 100 g/d of trehalose with 100 g/d of maltose (2 glucose molecules with an α1,4-glycosidic linkage) for 12 weeks in healthy individuals and saw no difference in body weight, lipid levels, or blood pressure between the groups, indicating a lack of benefit in a healthy population compared with more common sugars. 25 However, short- and long-term glucose control measures (such as blood glucose or HbA1c levels) were not measured in this study.…”

Response to: can one teaspoon of trehalose a day mitigate metabolic syndrome and diabetes risks?

“…Dear Editor, Thank you for contacting us regarding the comments and questions from Dr. Fred Brouns' group about our paper "Daily consumption of one teaspoon of trehalose can help maintain glucose homeostasis: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in healthy volunteers" [1]. We appreciate their interest in our work and comments.…”