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Inhibition of the glycaemic response by onion: a comparison between lactose-tolerant and lactose-intolerant adults

Abstract

This pilot study compared inhibition of the glycaemic response to glucose by a dietary source of quercetin glucosides (onion) in lactose-tolerant adults (n=12) and lactose-intolerant adults (n=12). We hypothesised that lactose-intolerant people (who do not express lactase) will retain intact quercetin glucosides that can inhibit glucose uptake via the glucose transporter SGLT1, whereas lactose-tolerant people (who do express lactase) will hydrolyse quercetin glucosides to free quercetin that does not inhibit glucose uptake. In a glucose tolerance test, reduction in peak glucose levels by an onion meal was higher in lactose-intolerant people than in lactose-tolerant people (44.2 versus 19.3%, P=0.04). Incremental area under the blood glucose curve was reduced more in lactose-intolerant people, but was not statistically significant (54.5 versus 42.1%, P=0.42). A diet containing quercetin glucosides may be of greater benefit for glycaemic control in lactose-intolerant people than in lactose-tolerant people.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Alla Mashanova for help with statistical analysis. This work did not receive any external funding.

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Correspondence to R Hoffman.

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Hoffman, R., Ranjbar, G. & Madden, A. Inhibition of the glycaemic response by onion: a comparison between lactose-tolerant and lactose-intolerant adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 1089–1091 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.44

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