It can go on the market today now that the GRAS status has been given. They are building the plants. Biospherics says that two clinical studies found Tagatose useful as an adjunct in treating the disease. In addition, the company says that the studies demonstrated that people with type 2 diabetes using Tagatose are protected against glucose spikes from other sugar products. Even the American Diabetes Association now says that people with diabetes can eat some sugar.
Sugar is also rather high on the glycemic index.
This makes the development of these new sweeteners a boon for anyone with diabetes. It thus has the potential to improve health. Tagatose can be considered a prebiotic based on an increase in the generation of short chain fatty acids, specifically an increased level of butyrate, and the promotion of beneficial bacteria. The will call it Gaio. This article originally appeared on this Web site on May 1, 2001.