Clinical trial NCT01307904: The Glycemic Indices of Five Common Varieties of Dates in the Tested Among Healthy and Diabetic Subjects
Official title: The Glycemic Indices of Five Common Varieties of Dates in the Tested Among Healthy and Diabetic Subjects
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1
Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus
Keywords: Glycemic index
Dates
Blood glucose
Lead sponsor: United Arab Emirates University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
First posted: 2011-03-03
Enrollment: 23
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary: The main objectives of this study is to measure the composition of five common types of dates (Fara'd, Lulu, Abu ouma'n, Dabbas and Khalas) and to calculate their Glycemic Indices (GI) of these dates tested in healthy and diabetic subjects. Thirteen healthy volunteers and ten subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study.

The dates' flesh composition analysis showed that the dates contain a high percentage of carbohydrate (total sugars, 65-68%).

The measured mean glycemic indices of the dates among healthy individuals were 54.0, 53.5, 46.3, 49.1 and 55.1 for Fara'd, Lulu, Abu Ouma'n, Dabbas and Khalas, respectively. Corresponding mean glycemic indices among individuals with type 2 diabetes were very similar 46.1, 43.8, 51.8, 50.2, and 53.0. Thus the tested five varieties of the dates are classified as low glycemic index food items.

Detailed description: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has transitioned rapidly over the last 40 years. This has lead to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, prediabetes and diabetes. Daily consumption of dates is the norm.The main objectives of this study is to measure the composition of five common types of dates (Fara'd, Lulu, Abu ouma'n, Dabbas and Khalas) and to calculate their Glycemic Indices (GI) of these dates tested equally in healthy and diabetic subjects. Thirteen healthy volunteers and ten subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study. The dates' flesh composition analysis showed that the dates contain a high percentage of carbohydrate (total sugars, 65-68%).

The measured mean glycemic indices of the dates among healthy individuals were 54.0, 53.5, 46.3, 49.1 and 55.1 for Fara'd, Lulu, Abu Ouma'n, Dabbas and Khalas, respectively. Corresponding mean glycemic indices among individuals with type 2 diabetes were very similar 46.1, 43.8, 51.8, 50.2, and 53.0. Thus the tested five varieties of the dates are classified as low glycemic index food items with potential health benefits for healthy and diabetic individuals alike.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult
* Healthy or having controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

Exclusion Criteria:

* Morbid obesity (BMI \> 40)
* Presence of gastroenterological disorders
* Alimentary tract surgery
* A history of gastroenteritis in the prior six months
* Any disease that may affect glucose metabolism
* Alcohol intake
* Smoking
* Taking any medications (except metformin)
* Poorly uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c \> 8%)
* The presence of chronic diseases or the presence of acute illness

Primary outcomes:
measure: Dates Glycemic Index
timeFrame: 4 months
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Al Ain
country: United Arab Emirates
facility: Internal Medicine Department, FMHS, UAE University
state: Abu Dhabi
Study officials:
affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University
name: Juma M Alkaabi, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University
name: Bayan Al-Dabbagh, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University
name: Professor Hussein saadi, MD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University
name: Professor Salah Gariballa, FRCP
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
name: Ahmed Shakeel, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority
name: Mustafa Al Gazali, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Alkaabi JM, Al-Dabbagh B, Ahmad S, Saadi HF, Gariballa S, Ghazali MA. Glycemic indices of five varieties of dates in healthy and diabetic subjects. Nutr J. 2011 May 28;10:59. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-59.