Acute Capillary Glucose Responses to Sweetened Beverages, Spice Infusions, and Mineral-Rich Water in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Parallel-Group Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the acute capillary glucose responses to sweetened beverages, unsweetened cinnamon and ginger infusions, mineral-rich Zamzam water, and plain bottled water in healthy young adults after an overnight fast

Study Design: Randomized, controlled, parallel-group study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia, from 1st February 2020 to April 2023.

Methodology: A total of 144 healthy university students aged 19-25 years were assigned equally to receive 250 mL of orange juice, a honey drink, a ginger infusion, a cinnamon infusion, Zamzam water, or plain bottled water after an overnight fast.

Results: Capillary glucose was measured before and 60 min after consumption, with 24 participants in each group. Mean glucose increased most after honey (+20.09 mg/dL) and orange juice (+17.33 mg/dL). Changes after cinnamon (-3.58 mg/dL), ginger (-3.91 mg/dL), and plain water (-2.84 mg/dL) were small. Zamzam water showed a modest increase (+9.83 mg/dL). Overall change differed among groups (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: The spice-infusion do not establish glucose-lowering effects, and the Zamzam result cannot establish a mineral-mediated mechanism.