Cranberry Compounds as Future Therapy to Control Blood Sugar Levels

Evidence exists to suggest that a potential approach to controlling blood sugar is to inhibit the action of specific enzymes which are involved in carbohydrate digestion.  Ann Barrett, from the US Army Natick Soldier Research Center (Massachusetts, USA), and colleagues tested tannin compounds from cranberry, pomegranate, grape, and cocoa for their ability to bind to the digestive enzymes alpha-amylase and glucoamylase.  Whereas all for foods were able to inhibit the activity of glucoamylase to varying degrees, only cranberry extracts – followed closely by pomegranate – were effect is in inhibiting alpha-amylase activity.  The team submits that the demonstrated inhibitory effects of primary compounds may be of future assistance as a natural therapeutic to control blood glucose levels.