1. Introduction
T2DM
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Aronia melanocarpa berries are rich in antioxidants and possess a high antioxidant capacity. Aronia berries have shown potential in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment, and previous studies indicate improvements in glycemia after supplementation. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of aronia berries is limited by the low bioavailability of aronia, which fermentation could potentially overcome. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of fermented or non-fermented aronia pulp with placebo in subjects with T2DM. This study was a triple-blinded, triple-crossover study with eight-week intervention periods with fermented aronia extract (FAE), non-fermented aronia extract (AE), and placebo. Extracts were incorporated in snack bars with 37% aronia (FAE or AE) or wheat bran (placebo) and 63% raisins and coconut oil. Pre- and post-treatment period, we did fasting blood samples, including hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine, insulin, glucose, glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon, oral glucose tolerance tests, and anthropometric measurements. Of 36 randomized participants, 23 completed the trial. Aside from a higher increase in GIP after FAE supplementation compared to after placebo supplementation, aronia extracts had no effect. The increase in GIP levels after FAE supplementation may hold potential benefits, but the overall clinical impact remains unclear.Aronia melanocarpa is a garden shrub that is convenient to cultivate and requires low maintenance [Aronia berries have attained great interest in relation to their high antioxidant capacity [It has been reported that the polyphenols from aronia berries are poorly absorbed, which may limit their health-promoting effects [Therefore, we wanted to further clarify the role of aronia in the treatment of T2DM. At present, no clinical studies have examined the effect of aronia in a blinded setting or investigated the effect of aronia on glucose metabolism and on circulating levels of glucagon, incretin, and insulin. Thus, the objective of the present study was to compare the effects of eight weeks of administration of fermented or non-fermented aronia pulp with a placebo in a blinded setting in subjects with T2DM. We hypothesized that both aronia extracts would improve glucose metabolism, however, the fermented more than the unfermented product, in comparison to placebo, with AUC and iAUC during OGTT being the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes include computations of glucose metabolism and measurements of circulating levels of glucagon, incretin, and insulin.