Metabolic Effects of Dietary Sucrose in Type II Diabetic Subjects

Abstract

Objective— To assess in diabetic subjects the effects of dietary sucrose on glycemia and lipemia. Research Design and Methods— Twelve type II diabetic subjects consumed, in random order, two isocaloric, 55% carbohydrate study diets for 28 days. In one diet, 19% of energy was derived from sucrose. In the other diet, <3% of energy was derived from sucrose, and carbohydrate energy came primarily from starch. Both study diets were composed of common foods. All meals were prepared in a metabolic kitchen where foods were weighed during meal preparation. Results— No significant differences were noted between the study diets at any time point in mean plasma glucose. At day 28, mean plasma glucose values for the sucrose diet were 9.6 ± 0.5 mM and for the starch diet were 9.4 ± 0.6 mM (P = 0.63). Also, no significant differences were observed between the study diets in urine glucose, fasting serum total, HDL, or LDL cholesterol; fasting serum TG; or peak postprandial serum TG. Conclusions— A high sucrose diet did not adversely affect glycemia or lipemia in type II diabetic subjects.