Abstract
BackgroundAs most sport drinks contain some form of non-nutritive sweetener (e.g. aspartame), and with the variation in blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion reportedly associated with aspartame, a further understanding of the effects on insulin and blood glucose regulation during exercise is warranted. Therefore, the aim of this preliminary study was to profile the insulin and blood glucose responses in healthy individuals after aspartame and carbohydrate ingestion during rest and exercise.FindingsEach participant completed four trials under the same conditions (45 min rest + 60 min self-paced intense exercise) differing only in their fluid intake: 1) carbohydrate (2% maltodextrin and 5% sucrose (C)); 2) 0.04% aspartame with 2% maltodextrin and 5% sucrose (CA)); 3) water (W); and 4) aspartame (0.04% aspartame with 2% maltodextrin (A)). Insulin levels dropped significantly for CA versus C alone (43%) between pre-exercise and 30 min, while W and A insulin levels did not differ between these time points.ConclusionsAspartame with carbohydrate significantly lowered insulin levels during exercise versus carbohydrate alone.
Highlights
BackgroundThe intra-individual variability recently reported with aspartame ingestion, blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion has raised doubts about the appropriateness of this sweetener as a substitute for sucrose in the diet [1]
As most sport drinks contain some form of non-nutritive sweetener, and with the variation in blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion reportedly associated with aspartame, a further understanding of the effects on insulin and blood glucose regulation during exercise is warranted
The intra-individual variability recently reported with aspartame ingestion, blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion has raised doubts about the appropriateness of this sweetener as a substitute for sucrose in the diet [1]
Summary
The intra-individual variability recently reported with aspartame ingestion, blood glucose regulation and insulin secretion has raised doubts about the appropriateness of this sweetener as a substitute for sucrose in the diet [1]. Ferland and colleagues have reported aspartame to induce similar increases in blood glucose and insulin levels to that of sucrose after a meal in type 2 diabetics [1]. Variation between responses with aspartame consumption is important when considering the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in β-cell function and the decreased peripheral insulin resistance that exists in most type 2 diabetics [2]. The addition of regular, physical exercise in conjunction with dietary interventions is often prescribed as a. Responses would differ between the aspartame and carbohydrate conditions during both rest and exercise
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