Effects of Miracle Fruit Supplement on Hedonic Responses to Different Types of Sour Food in Asian Americans with Diabetes or Prediabetes

Abstract

Abstract Objectives More than 100 million U.S. adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Sugar substitutes have long been counted on by people with diabetes or prediabetes. Miracle fruit has been considered as a healthy natural alternative sweetener that can meet diabetic patients’ needs due to its sweetness-enhancing effect and health benefit such as high antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to examine if there is any significant difference in pre-post hedonic response changes to different sour food products between the miracle fruit and the placebo treatment in people with diabetes or prediabetes. Methods This study has a randomized, controlled, crossover design of two-treatment, two-day session trials with each session comprising pre and posttest. In session 1, 25 participants out of the 50 Asian Americans with diabetes or prediabetes (Women 60%, Mean ± SE = 54.7 ±1.3 years of age) were randomly assigned to miracle fruit pill group and the other 25 participants were assigned to placebo (sugar pill) group. In session 2, the assignment was switched. In each session, participants assessed their hedonic responses to green apple, goat cheese, lemonade, cucumber pickle, and plain fat-free yogurt before and after miracle fruit pill/placebo administration. Testing order of samples was randomized for each participant. The pre and post likings for overall, flavor, texture, and aftertaste were evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale. Paired t-tests were used to examine the differences between the two groups. Results In posttests, all the hedonic responses improved regardless of the treatment. However, the miracle fruit group's pre-post difference values in all the hedonic attributes for all the food samples evaluated were significantly higher than the placebo group's values (P < 0.001). The largest difference value (3.1 ± 0.19) was observed for the flavor liking of yogurt in the miracle fruit group and the smallest difference value (0.3 ± 0.13) for the overall and aftertaste liking of goat cheese in the placebo group. Conclusions This study suggests that miracle fruit can be used as an effective sweetness enhancer to improve hedonic responses to sour foods in people with diabetes or prediabetes. Funding Sources Professional Staff Congress-The City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) 50 Grant (#62,192–00-50).