L-arabinose: Research on physiological functions

There are two main functions of L-arabinose in food and medicine:

One is an enzyme capable of inhibiting hydrolysis of disaccharides, thereby suppressing an increase in blood sugar caused by ingestion of sucrose (which is absorbed by decomposition of glucose and fructose by the action of small intestine sucrase); and a hypoglycemic effect of inhibiting hydrolysis of disaccharide.

Second, due to the inhibitory effect of L-arabinose on the disaccharide hydrolase, the sucrose which is not decomposed in the small intestine is decomposed by microorganisms in the large intestine to produce a large amount of organic acid, which has an inhibitory effect on liver synthesis of fat. In addition, L-arabinose inhibits the absorption of sucrose in the small intestine, thereby reducing the production of new fat in the body. L-arabinose can be used in combination with sucrose or alone. Adding 3.5% to sucrose can inhibit the absorption of 60-70% sucrose in human body, and long-term use can lower blood sugar. Eating L-arabinose alone has the same effect.

Inhibit the absorption of sucrose

The most representative physiological role of L-arabinose is to selectively affect the sucrase in the small intestine, thereby inhibiting the absorption of sucrose. It has been reported that the addition of 3.5% L-arabinose to sucrose can inhibit the absorption of 60-70% sucrose and also increase the blood sugar level by about 50%.

Control blood sugar rise

L-arabinose, a low-calorie sugar, inhibits the rise in blood sugar caused by ingestion of sucrose, thereby inhibiting obesity and preventing and treating diseases associated with hyperglycemia.
Prevent constipation and promote bifidobacteria growth
According to Japanese research, women with constipation tendencies added 3% L-arabinose sucrose to their drinks such as black tea, and the number of bowel movements per week increased significantly. According to tests by Sanhe Starch Co., Ltd., the ingestion of 5% sucrose with 5% arabinose can also effectively promote the growth of Bifidobacterium. Tang and Tang L-arabinose itself is a sugar that is difficult to be absorbed by the digestive tract, and parts that are not used in the body can be excreted from the urine.

Effects on skeletal muscle composition

A 2005 study in Japan demonstrated the effects of L-arabinose on energy expenditure and muscle fiber composition by feeding 20% sucrose diet (Group C) and 1.5% L-arabinose to obese rats. % of the cane meal (group A) for 21 weeks. The abdominal adipose tissue weight and cell size of the rats in group C increased significantly, while the fat weight and cell size of group A rats were significantly inhibited. L-arabinose significantly inhibited the rise in blood glucose after 2 hours of glucose administration. When evaluated by respiratory quotient, the percentage of energy consumed by fat in group A increased by 12.8%. The number of type I fibers in the rectus abdominis muscle was significantly increased. Like other skeletal muscles, the rectus abdominis muscle is also composed of type I and type II muscle fibers. These results suggest that L-arabinose has the effect of altering skeletal muscle fiber components, affecting the growth of abdominal adipose tissue by controlling glycolysis to sugar oxidation. This change in muscle fiber ratio may have an effect on improving type 2 diabetes.

Animal experiment

(1) L-arabinose has obvious inhibitory effect on porcine intestinal invertase. When the addition amount is 1%~5% of sucrose, the inhibition rate of invertase is about 50%~60%.
(2) The Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention began cooperation with Jinan Shengquan Tang and Tang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. in December 2008 to explore the effects of L-arabinose on animal fat and blood sugar.
L-arabinose, content ≥ 99.0%. L-arabinose was administered at a dose of 0.525 g/kg BW for 45 days. The results showed that L-arabinose significantly improved glucose tolerance in normal rats; serum triglyceride was significantly decreased in rats, serum high-density lipid Protein cholesterol is significantly increased. Obese model rats fed with high-sugar and high-fat diets with 5, 15 and 30 doses of L-arabinose recommended by the human body for 45 days showed that each dose of L-arabinose significantly improved obese model rats. Sugar tolerance.
Impaired glucose tolerance refers to a critical state in which a patient's blood sugar is between normal people and diabetes. Recognized as the early stage of diabetes, it is a dangerous stage of development into diabetes. Many studies support the effects of overweight and obesity on diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Numerous studies have shown that obesity can lead to decreased insulin sensitivity in muscle and liver. Therefore, we must pay attention to the monitoring of the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance, timely grasp the incidence of the disease, take timely measures to intervene, effectively improve the body's glucose tolerance, and have a positive effect on the prevention and control of diabetes.
The results confirmed that L-arabinose can lower blood sugar levels by effectively inhibiting sucrose absorption in high-sugar and high-fat diets, while improving circulating insulin pathways to improve insulin resistance and protect normal physiological functions of islet cells, especially in enhancing glucose tolerance. The aspect is important. Ingesting the right amount of Tang and Tang L-arabinose by oral route is important for stabilizing blood sugar, reducing the occurrence of diabetes, and maintaining a healthy physiological state.

in conclusion

As an emerging healthy sugar, L-arabinose needs a process that is recognized and accepted by the Chinese and the world. It is expected to be widely used in foods such as dairy products, cakes, bread, children's food, ice cream, beverages, desserts/chocolate/household sucrose.