The Effect of D-allulose on the Glycemic Changes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus During Ramadan Fasting

Postprandial hyperglycemia or rapid rise in blood glucose is defined as a blood glucose level\>7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) 1- 2 hours after consumption of food. It is associated to the development of diabetes among healthy individuals and a risk factor for the onset and progression of microvascular and macrovascular complications among diabetic patients. In Ramadan, postprandial hyperglycemia is often observed after the iftar (fasting break after sunset). The frequency of eating normally decreases during Ramadan, however, the energy intake remains questionable because dietary practices during Ramadan are influenced by local culture, economic status and individual dietary behaviors. In many Muslim societies including Malaysia, Ramadan has known as a month of feasting. Iftar meals are typically high calorie, carbohydrate-rich and usually sweet food resulting in rapid rise in glucose after the meal. This poses a challenge for the people with diabetes to manage their glucose level. D-allulose (a C-3 epimer of D-fructose) is a rare sugar and reported to have several health benefits, such as suppressing a rise in postprandial glucose levels. There is still a scarcity of research on patients with diabetes. As a result, the current clinical study sought to investigate the effect of supplemental D-allulose on participants with type 2 diabetes who consume real-meal calories during Ramadan iftar.