Tagatose Study
Comparison of the Glycaemic Response and GI Tolerability of Novel Rare Sugar Tagatose versus Sucrose in Healthy Individuals: An Acute Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Crossover Trial
Tagatose, a C-4 epimer of fructose, is a naturally occurring rare sugar that can be found in small quantities in apples, grains, and dairy. It is approved by the FDA and by EFSA as a novel food ingredient. Tagatose is 90% as sweet as sucrose and functions similarly in foods and beverages, including baking and caramelization. Its bulking properties provide a comparable texture, volume, and mouthfeel to sucrose, making it a promising sweetener for sugar reformulation, either partially or completely, without compromising taste.
With a low glycaemic index of 3 and prebiotic effects, tagatose is ketogenic, vegetarian, plant-based, and prebiotic certified. Its most unique characteristic is the ability to attenuate glycaemic responses, even when consumed with carbohydrate-rich meals (acting as a sugar blocker), suggesting that tagatose could be a game changer in the field of sugar alternatives for individuals aiming to manage their blood sugar levels.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the rare sugar tagatose individually and in combination with sucrose and another rare sugar allulose on postprandial blood glucose levels and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in healthy individuals.
The FreeStyle Libre 3 Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, and standardized gastrointestinal symptom questionnaires will be used in this study.
This study has received a favourable ethical opinion from the School Research Ethics Committee.
Who can take part in this study?
The study will recruit 30 healthy adults aged 18-50 years old with a body mass index between 18-30 kg/m2.
Exclusion criteria
You are not eligible to take part in the study if any of the following applies to you:
- Uncontrolled medical conditions (Hypertension and Diabetes)
- Food Allergies and Highly Sensitive to Sweeteners
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women
- BMI outside the range (18.5-30)
- Taking high doses of vitamin C > 500 mg/d
- Not having a smart phone
Please note a smart phone is required to download and use the FreeStyle Libre 3 app.
If you meet the eligible criteria, you will be invited to come to the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences for a screening visit in which the study will be described in detail. The entire study will include 1 screening visit and 6 main visits.
What will taking part in the study involve?
Screening visit
- Initial screening visit at the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition in the Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences (University of Reading).
- The screening visit should take no more than 30 minutes and will include height, weight and blood pressure measurements.
- You will be asked to download the FreeStyle Libre 3 app to your smart phone.
Main study visits
6 visits, each lasting 2-3 hours, over a period of three weeks.
- For each visit, you must be in a fasted state (10-12 hour overnight fast: only water allowed, starting after dinner the evening prior to each visit).
- During each visit, you will be asked to consume a test drink.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS), FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor, will be fitted.
- Each visit will take up to 2-3 hours. After consuming the test drink, you will be free to wait in the visitor lounge for two hours while refraining from eating or drinking until you leave the unit.
- After each visit, changes to your GI symptoms will be tracked by sending out short questionnaires via email to be completed on up to 6 occasions.
Study contact
Please contact nutritionvolunteers@reading.ac.uk for more information about this study.