Polyphenolic inhibition of enterocytic starch digestion enzymes and glucose transporters for managing type 2 diabetes may be reduced in food systems
Emmanuel O. Ayua,
Smith G. Nkhata,
Sydney J. Namaumbo,
Elijah Heka Kamau,
Theresa N. Ngoma,
Kevin Omondi Aduol
Affiliations
Emmanuel O. Ayua
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya; Corresponding author.
Smith G. Nkhata
Agrofood Processing Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi; Food Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi
Sydney J. Namaumbo
Agrofood Processing Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi; Food Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi
Elijah Heka Kamau
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Theresa N. Ngoma
Agrofood Processing Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi; Food Technology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P. O Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi
Kevin Omondi Aduol
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
With the current global surge in diabetes cases, there is a growing interest in slowing and managing diabetes and its effects. While there are medications that can be used, they have adverse side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. To overcome these problems, bioactive compounds commonly found in fruits, vegetables and cereal grains are used to slow starch digestion and transport of simple sugars across the intestinal epithelia thereby reducing plasma blood glucose spike. These effects are achieved through inhibition of amylases, glucosidases and glucose transporters present in the gastrointestinal tract and brush boarder membrane. The extent of inhibition by polyphenols is dependent on molecular structure, doses and food matrix. Glycemic lowering effect of polyphenols have been demonstrated both in in vivo and in vitro studies. However, when these compounds are incorporated in food systems, they can interact with other polymers in the food matrix leading to lesser inhibition of digestion and/or glucose transporters compared to isolated or pure compounds as often witnessed in most in vitro studies.