Administration of Jerusalem artichoke reduces the postprandial plasma glucose and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) concentrations in humans.

BACKGROUND

The consumption of Jerusalem artichoke has multiple beneficial effects against diabetes and obesity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single administration of Jerusalem artichoke tubers on postprandial glycemia and the concentrations of incretin hormones in humans.

METHOD

Grated Jerusalem artichoke was administered prior to a meal (Trial 1; white rice for prediabetic participants, = 10). Dose-dependent effect of Jerusalem artichoke (Trial 2; white rice for prediabetic participants, = 4) and effect prior to the fat-rich meal were also investigated (Trial 3; healthy participants, = 5) in this pilot study. Circulating glucose, insulin, triglyceride, glucagon, active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and active glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) concentrations were subsequently measured in all the trials.

RESULTS

Jerusalem artichoke significantly reduced the glucose and GIP concentrations after the consumption of either meal in Trial 1 and Trial 3, whereas there were no differences in the insulin, glucagon, and active GLP-1 concentrations. Also, there was no significant difference in the triglyceride concentration after the ingestion of the fat-rich meal in Trial 3. The glucose and GIP-lowering effects were dose-dependent, and the consumption of at least 100 g of Jerusalem artichoke was required to have these effects in Trial 2.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that a single administration of Jerusalem artichoke tubers reduces postprandial glucose and active GIP concentrations in prediabetic and healthy individuals.