Type 2 diabetes is a disease linked to the Western lifestyle and its prevalence could exceed 700 million diabetics worldwide, in 1945. This metabolic disorder often leads to complications, such as heart disease and an increased risk of death. However, certain lifestyle changes including returning to a healthy diet and exercising can ward off these risks. This Japanese study suggests a new antidiabetic dietary supplement, xanthan gum.
Diabetes complications are largely associated with postprandial blood glucose
Previous studies have already highlighted the reducing effects of certain foods (eg vinegar), nutrients (eg fibre) and food supplements on post-meal blood sugar.
This is indeed the case of one of these soluble fibers, xanthan gum, already used in a whole range of foods, including liquid thickeners, in particular to prevent choking in patients with swallowing difficulties or swallowing disorders. However, the biological effects of the liquid thickener on postprandial blood glucose, gene expression in the gastrointestinal tract, and the gut microbiome have not been studied until now. Thus, it now appears that, beyond its better known benefits, xanthan gum induces a reduction in postprandial blood glucose levels linked to the expression of certain genes in the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal microbiome.
The study is conducted in mice, a group having received a liquid thickened with xanthan gum or a saline solution for 5 weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured before glucose administration and at regular intervals thereafter and RNA from different parts of the tissues of the gastrointestinal system was analyzed. The analysis reveals that
- blood glucose levels 60 and 90 minutes after receiving glucose are significantly lower in animals given the gum;
- this reduction in blood glucose levels associated with xanthan gum is also associated with the expression of 2 specific genes, Glp1 and Glp1r in the ileum;
- cholesterol homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism and glucose metabolism are also improved in the ileum;
- the intestinal microbial composition is modified in mice given xanthan gum, with an increase in the number of 2 “good” intestinal bacteria, Erysipelotrichales and Christensenellaceae, this expression being again associated with the expression of Glp1 and Glp1r in the ileum : these 2 bacterial families produce short chain fatty acids which protect the intestinal and pancreatic cells and promote the secretion of insulin, underline the researchers.
As the prevalences of type 2 diabetes and heart disease are increasing alarmingly around the world, this research suggests a new option, by simple supplementation, which could complement the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.