The effect of alpha-cyclodextrin on postprandial glucose excursions, a systematic meta analysis Alpha-cyclodextrin and Blood Glucose

Abstract

Alpha-cyclodextrin (αCD) is a natural bacterial product that is widely used as a food ingredient. In the EU, αCD is regulated as a “dietary fiber” with an authorized health claim “for contributing to the reduction of postprandial glycemic responses”. In the US, αCD is generally recognized as save (GRAS), but on April 25, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected the inclusion of αCD in the list of “dietary fibers” because “the strength of the scientific evidence does not support a finding of a beneficial effect of αCD on postprandial blood glucose …”.This meta-analysis reviews clinical trials conducted to test the effect of αCD on blood glucose and insulin levels during three hours after consumption of a meal comprising carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.Several issues related to the standardization of the outcomes, the choice of the statistical methods in the cross-over studies conducted, and the choice of methods for the aggregation of P-values are discussed. In conclusion, the EU decision is confirmed and extended. The administration of αCD not only reduces the postprandial glycemic responses, but the absence of an increase in insulin levels suggests that αCD acts independent of increasing insulin production and, thus, their beneficial effect is not affected by insulin resistance.