Fruit form Influences Postprandial Glycemic Response in Elderly and Young Adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effects of consuming different forms (bite size, puree) and two fruit types (guava, papaya) on glycemic response (GR) in elderly and young adults.

DESIGN: This study was conducted using a randomized, crossover design.

PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen healthy participants (9 elderly, 10 young adults) were recruited from the general public in Singapore.

INTERVENTION: Participants consumed glucose (reference food) on three occasions and test fruits (guava bites, guava puree, papaya bites, and papaya puree) on one occasion each.

MEASUREMENTS: Blood glucose was analyzed prior to consuming the test food, at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after food consumption.

RESULTS: The incremental area under the blood glucose response curve (iAUC) over 120 minutes for all the treatments was significantly lower than glucose (all P < 0.001). All fruit forms and types studied were low glycemic index (GI) (guava bites: 29; papaya bites: 38; papaya puree: 42; guava puree: 47), albeit a significant difference in GI between the treatments was found (P = 0.003). Elderly exhibited significantly greater GR than young participants (P = 0.019).

CONCLUSION: Although fruit form influences GR in the elderly and young adults, all fruit types and forms studied were found to be low GI. This study indicates that fruits are a valuable source of nutrient irrespective of the form of delivery in elderly and young adults. This study was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12614000655640.