LOWER GLYCEMIC RESPONSE TO SUCROSE IN THE DIETS OF CHILDREN WITH TYPE-1 DIABETES

Objective: To compare glycemic responses of isocaloric mixed meals con taining 2% and 17% sucrose in children with type I diabetes who had fa sting euglycemia. Study design: Nine children (11 to 16 years) with ty pe 1 diabetes were randomized in a crossover design to receive 2 isoca loric diets (2% or 17% sucrose) in the Clinical Research Center. In th e 2% sucrose diet, starch isocalorically replaced sucrose. Results: Fa sting euglycemia was comparable on both study days (mean +/- SEM: 2% s ucrose, 5.0 +/- 0.3 mmol/L or 90 +/- 5 mg/dL; 17% sucrose, 5.0 +/- 0.3 mmol/L or 91 +/- 6 mg/dL). The 17% sucrose diet resulted in a lower g lycemic response than the 2% sucrose diet over the 4-hour study period (area under glucose response curve: mean +/- SEM, 37 +/- 3.5 mmol/L.4 h vs 42 +/- 4.7 mmol/L.4 h, P = .01). Peak blood glucose response was earlier and lower (2.2 to 2.8 mmol/L, 40 to 50 mg/dL) with the 17% su crose diet. Conclusions: Sucrose in moderate amounts, isocalorically e xchanged for starch, lowered glycemic response between breakfast and l unch in children who were euglycemic before breakfast. These data refu te concerns about adverse glycemic effects of sucrose and support the use of sucrose-containing foods in the context of a healthy meal plan.