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Glycaemic and insulinaemic properties of some German honey varieties

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 64, pages 762–764 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

The glycaemic and insulinaemic response to different German honey varieties have not been studied so far. Eight German honey grades differing in their floral source and carbohydrate composition were tested. Isoglucidic test meals (25 g carbohydrate) and a 25 g glucose reference were given to 10 clinically and metabolically healthy, fasting individuals (31.5±8.1 years of age (mean±s.d.), two women). Glycaemic and insulinaemic index were calculated by the recommended FAO/WHO measure. Five of the eight tested honey varieties show a low glycaemic index below 55; for six of the eight tested varieties, the glycaemic load was lower than 10 (portion size of 20 g honey). Glycaemic index and insulinaemic index correlated significantly with the fructose content of honey varieties. The results show that glycaemic index and insulinaemic response depend on the fructose content of honey. Therefore, specific honey varieties may be recommended for subjects with impaired glucose tolerance instead of saccharose in food preparations.

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Acknowledgements

The honey samples tested were provided by the ‘German beekeeper association’ (Deutscher Imkerbund e.V.), Wachtberg, Germany. Food chemistry analyses of the honey varieties tested were performed by the ‘LAVES-Institut für Bienenkunde’, Celle, Germany.

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  1. Department of Rehabilitation, Prevention and Sports Medicine, University Hospital, Centre for Internal Medicine, Freiburg, Germany

    P Deibert, D König, B Kloock, M Groenefeld & A Berg

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  1. P Deibert
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  2. D König
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  3. B Kloock
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  4. M Groenefeld
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  5. A Berg
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Correspondence to P Deibert.

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Deibert, P., König, D., Kloock, B. et al. Glycaemic and insulinaemic properties of some German honey varieties. Eur J Clin Nutr 64, 762–764 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.103

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.103

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