Here's why ketone drinks could help manage blood sugar levels
| Jan 8, 2020, 14:33 IST
A new, conducted by a team from UBC Okanagan, suggests ketone monoester drinks could help manage blood sugar levels, which could be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. Many who are on a low-carbohydrate or ketogenic-diet opt to consume these beverages.
Researchers of the study believe ketone supplements could be used as a tool to help manage blood sugar levels and not as a magic pill. The liver produces ketones, which are molecules, fatty acids when you don't consume enough food, are on a carbohydrate restrictive diet or workout too much.
For the study, 15 participants had to consume a ketone drink, which was provided by the University of Oxford that was made with medical ester. The consumed the drink after fasting overnight. None of the participants has been on a keto diet or one that is restrictive. However, many of them were at risk of developing diabetes or had high blood sugar levels.
Ketone supplements are commonly used for sports endurance to refuel your body. “So the concept is that you are providing a new fuel or a fourth macronutrient along with carbs, fat and protein that you can drink that can fuel your heart, muscles or brain for exercise,” Little told a news portal.
People following a keto or intermittent fasting plan could be using the supplements to be able to manage their body's state of ketosis. “Because they’re so new, there’s very little research on how they can influence metabolism and we’re among the first to look at their use in non-athletes,” Little told a news portal. Adding, “When you take them your blood sugar goes down and this may be a good thing, but we don’t know for sure yet. But it’s intriguing."
While more research is needed to be done, the team is hopeful that the findings could help researchers develop better treatment options. “There are more anecdotes on the Internet than there are research studies on this, so it is early days and we definitely need more research to back up those anecdotes," Little told a news portal.
The study was originally published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
Researchers of the study believe ketone supplements could be used as a tool to help manage blood sugar levels and not as a magic pill. The liver produces ketones, which are molecules, fatty acids when you don't consume enough food, are on a carbohydrate restrictive diet or workout too much.
For the study, 15 participants had to consume a ketone drink, which was provided by the University of Oxford that was made with medical ester. The consumed the drink after fasting overnight. None of the participants has been on a keto diet or one that is restrictive. However, many of them were at risk of developing diabetes or had high blood sugar levels.
Ketone supplements are commonly used for sports endurance to refuel your body. “So the concept is that you are providing a new fuel or a fourth macronutrient along with carbs, fat and protein that you can drink that can fuel your heart, muscles or brain for exercise,” Little told a news portal.
People following a keto or intermittent fasting plan could be using the supplements to be able to manage their body's state of ketosis. “Because they’re so new, there’s very little research on how they can influence metabolism and we’re among the first to look at their use in non-athletes,” Little told a news portal. Adding, “When you take them your blood sugar goes down and this may be a good thing, but we don’t know for sure yet. But it’s intriguing."
While more research is needed to be done, the team is hopeful that the findings could help researchers develop better treatment options. “There are more anecdotes on the Internet than there are research studies on this, so it is early days and we definitely need more research to back up those anecdotes," Little told a news portal.
The study was originally published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images