Glucerna

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Glucerna is the brand name of a family of snack bars and beverages manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.[1] These food products are meant for people with diabetes and are promoted for their ability to satisfy hunger without causing rapid increases in glucose concentration in the bloodstream.

Composition and properties

According to Abbott Laboratories, Glucerna products are made with CarbSteady, a proprietary carbohydrate source containing sucromalt that is characterized by a reduced glycemic index of approximately 53.[2][3] Glucerna products also contain vitamin supplements, chromium picolinate, and phytosterols. There is evidence that phytosterols are of value in lowering cholesterol,[4] but the value of chromium supplements has been questioned.[5][6]

The glycemic index of Glucerna shakes is approximately 31 relative to a value of 100 for pure glucose,[7] while the snack bar has been found to produce less than a third of the glycemic response of a conventional snack bar.[8] A scientific review concluded that diabetic snack bars, such as Glucerna snack bars, can be useful for weight control and for blunting hyperglycemia but are not suitable for treating hypoglycemia.[8]

Like most premade foods, Glucerna products can be expensive compared with alternative healthy foods prepared at home.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Abbot Laboratories. "Glucerna — Helping people with diabetes find balance.". Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  2. ↑ Abbot Laboratories. "The science behind Glucerna.". Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  3. ↑ Cargill. "Cargill’s sucromalt work with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service receives “Superior Technology Transfer Award”". Retrieved 15 December 2011. 
  4. ↑ European Food Safety Authority, Journal (2010). "Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to plant sterols and plant stanols and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations". 
  5. ↑ Heimbach, J.T.; Anderson, Richard A. (2005). "Chromium: Recent Studies Regarding Nutritional Roles and Safety". Nutrition Today 40 (4): 189––195. doi:10.1097/00017285-200507000-00013. 
  6. ↑ Vincent,, John B . (2003). "The Potential Value and Toxicity of Chromium Picolinate as a Nutritional Supplement, Weight Loss Agent and Muscle Development Agent". Sports Medicine:Volume 33 (3): 213–230. doi:10.2165/00007256-200333030-00004. PMID 12656641. 
  7. ↑ "Glycemic Index for Glucerna, vanilla (Abbott Laboratories Inc, USA)". Diet and Fitness Today. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rafkin-Mervis, Lisa E.; Jennifer B. Marks (January 2001). "The Science of Diabetic Snack Bars: A Review". Clinical Diabetes 19 (1): 4–12. doi:10.2337/diaclin.19.1.4. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  9. ↑ "Glucerna Review". Diet Spotlight. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 

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