L-arabinose and D-xylose: sweet pentoses that may reduce postprandial glucose and insulin responses

Popular scientific summary

• Fruit-based drinks and muffins are examples of realistic food products to which functional ingredients can be added.

• This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of L-arabinose and D-xylose on glucose homeostasis using a fruit-based drink and the effect of L-arabinose using a muffin in healthy male subjects.

• L-Arabinose and D-xylose are functional ingredients that can potentially lower the post-ingestive glycaemic and insulinaemic responses when added to realistic food products, but the efficacy depends on the food matrix.