Postprandial Glycemic and Insulinemic Effects of the Addition of Aqueous Extracts of Dried Corn Silk, Cumin Seed Powder or Tamarind Pulp, in Two Forms, Consumed with High Glycemic Index Rice

Abstract

Several plant-based traditional ingredients in Asia are anecdotally used for preventing and/or treating type 2 diabetes. We investigated three such widely consumed ingredients, namely corn silk (CS), cumin (CU), and tamarind (TA). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of aqueous extracts of these ingredients consumed either as a drink (D) with high-glycemic-index rice or added to the same amount of rice during cooking (R) on postprandial glycemia (PPG), insulinemia (PPI), and blood pressure (BP), over a 3 h measurement period. Eighteen healthy Chinese men (aged 37.5 ± 12.5 years, BMI 21.8 ± 1.67 kg/m2) took part in a randomized crossover trial, each completing up to nine sessions. Compared to the control meal (plain rice + plain water), the addition of test extracts in either form did not modulate PPG, PPI, or BP. However, the extracts when added within rice while cooking gave rise to significantly lower PPI than when consumed as a drink (p < 0.01). Therefore, the form of consumption of phytochemical-rich ingredients can differentially modulate glucose homeostasis. This study also highlights the need for undertaking randomized controlled clinical trials with traditional foods/components before claims are made on their specific health effects.

Use of Corn Silk Meal in Broiler Diet: Effect on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Immunological Responses, and Growth-Related Gene Expression

“…Corn grains have several valuable by-products, such as corn silk (CS; Maydis stigma). The corn silk meal (CSM) exists as thready matter from under the husk of corn grains and is validated in phytotherapy to improve human health [ 4 ]. The functionality of CSM is attributed to its content of minerals (Na, Ca, K, Fe, Ze, Cl) [ 5 ], vitamins (E and K), flavonoids, phytosterols, volatiles oils, steroids, saponin, alkaloids, tannins, and allantoin [ 6 , 7 ].…”

A Scientific Evidence-based Review of Tamarind usage in Indian Folklore Medicine

“…Tamarind pulp, cumin, and corn silk added to cooked rice significantly lowered postprandial insulinemic responses in healthy young people in a randomised crossover trial. This research shows that a dietary matrix rich in polyphenol compounds found in tamarind, cumin, and corn silk affects postprandial glycemia and insulin levels 67 . Previous study demonstrated that T. indica fruit pulp consumption for 4 weeks twice a day reduced total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in healthy subjects 68 .…”

Extraction Optimization, Preliminary Identification, and Bioactivities in Corn Silk

“…In addition, we have proved that corn silk can be considered an antihyperglycemia candidate. At present, corn silk has been widely used as tea [ 1 , 2 ] and food ingredients [ 6 , 7 ]. That is to say, to relieve the effect of the symptoms of hyperglycemia, the reasonable consumption of corn silk as a functional food is feasible.…”

“…Corn silk, the dried style and stigma of Zea mays L., is a wellknown traditional Chinese medicine which has been widely used as tea [1,2], herb medicine [3][4][5], and food ingredients [6,7]. Corn silk contains rich favonoids [5,8,9], polysaccharides [10,11], and terpenoids [12,13], which possess a variety of biological activities including antioxidant [9], hypoglycemic [6,14], anticancer [4,15], and antibacterial properties [16][17][18].…”