New research demonstrates the beneficial effects on glucose metabolism from consuming natural ingredient ABAlife™ – a fig-based therapeutic botanical extract produced by Spain-headquartered Euromed S.A.

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The recently published human study from the University of Sydney evaluated the efficacy of ABAlife™ on glucose metabolism blood parameters. In the research, the abscisic acid (ABA) standardised fig extract was shown to improve glucose tolerance, assist insulin release and may help to lower post-prandial blood glucose levels, besides having anti-inflammatory and adaptogen properties too. 

 

ABAlife™ is a patented extract from leading manufacturer of therapeutic botanical extracts, Euromed, and is available for dietary supplements. 

 

Lowering blood sugar and insulin, improving GI levels

 

In the randomised, double-blind crossover study, the researchers investigated the effects of two different ABA doses in fig extracts (100mg and 200mg) on post-prandial glucose and insulin responses in healthy subjects. Figs have one of the highest ABA concentrations found in nature. A 200mg dose of ABAlife™ added to a glucose drink lowered overall blood glucose and insulin levels and peaks between 30 and 120 minutes post-dose, and significantly improved glycemic index (GI) levels compared with a reference glucose solution alone. The GI indicates how fast and efficiently the body can metabolise a carbohydrate meal. 

 

The lower dosage was also effective on GI but did not reach statistical significance. Both dosages, however, were able to significantly lower the post-prandial insulinemic index (II), which shows how much insulin the body releases in response to a meal. The data displays a clear dose-response reduction of GI and II. 

 

A beneficial dietary supplement for diabetics?

 

This initial study suggests that ABAlife™ may be a beneficial dietary supplement in terms of helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and an adjunctive treatment for chronic metabolic disorders such as prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 66 million people in Europe have diabetes. Prevalence is rising among all age groups, mostly owing to increases in lifestyle-related risk factors such as unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. Sugar boosts the level of glucose in the blood and causes the pancreas to release insulin. Higher insulin levels lead to the storage of dietary calories as fat, which can result in excess weight and obesity – both risk factors for diabetes. A second, larger acute clinical trial is currently ongoing, and a chronic administration study will start next year.

 

ABA benefits without the calories

 

ABAlife™ is a whole fruit extract that’s produced from figs according to the highest quality standards of Euromed and purified using a carefully controlled process to achieve a high, standardised ABA content. The ingredient delivers the scientifically proven health benefits of ABA while avoiding the additional calories associated with eating figs.

 

Founded in 1971 by the German pharmaceutical company MADAUS, EUROMED S.A. is a leading producer of standardised herbal extracts and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of botanical origin for the international pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and cosmetic industry.

 

EUROMED’s long history of expertise in R&D, laboratory analyses and extraction technologies is increasingly available to the rapidly expanding global nutraceutical market, where the company observes “a growing demand for pharmaceutical-grade, evidence-based and trusted botanical solutions that support health”. 

 

www.euromed.es