Korean J Nutr.  2012 Apr;45(2):192-200. 10.4163/kjn.2012.45.2.192.

Sugar composition and glycemic indices of frequently consumed fruits in Korea

• Ryu JH
• Yim JE
• Suk WH
• Lee H
• Ahn H
• Kim YS
• Park CS
• Choue R

• KMID: 2268668
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/kjn.2012.45.2.192

Abstract

Fruits are generally recommended for a balanced meal, as they are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which may improve blood glucose control. However, fruits have simple sugars with a wide glycemic index (GI) range. The purpose of this study was to analyze the sugar content and composition and to determine the glycemic indices of the most frequently consumed fruits in Korea, including apple, tangerine, pear, water melon, persimmon, grape, oriental melon, and peach. The sugar content and composition of the fruits were analyzed by high performance anion-exchange chromatography (Dinonex model DX-600). The GI of the fruits was measured in 13 healthy subjects (seven females and six males) after permission was received from the University Hospital institutional review board (KHU-IRB 1114-06). The subjects consumed 50 g of glucose as a reference and carbohydrate portions of eight fruits. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consuming the fruits. The GI values for the fruits were calculated by expressing the increase in the area under the blood glucose response curve for each subject. As a result, the total sugar contents of 100 g fruits were: grape (13.9 g), apple (12.3 g), persimmon (11.9 g), oriental melon (11.2 g), watermelon (9.3 g), tangerine (8.9 g), peach (8.6 g), and pear (8.3 g). The GI values of the fruits were as follows: GI value of peach (56.5 +/- 14.17), watermelon (53.5 +/- 18.07), oriental melon (51.2 +/- 18.14), tangerine (50.4 +/- 15.16), grape (48.1 +/- 14.05), persimmon (42.9 +/- 18.92), pear (35.7 +/- 14.38), and apple (33.5 +/- 11.92). These findings will help individuals choose fruit for controlling blood sugar.

Keyword

fruits; sugar contents; sugar composition; glycemic index

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Carbohydrates
Chromatography
Citrullus
Cucurbitaceae
Diospyros
Ethics Committees, Research
Female
Fruit
Glucose
Glycemic Index
Humans
Korea
Meals
Minerals
Prunus persica
Pyrus
Vitamins
Vitis
Blood Glucose
Carbohydrates
Glucose
Minerals
Vitamins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 High performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC).

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  Fig. 2 Relative changes of plasma glucose for 2 hours following the fruits intake.

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  Fig. 3 Relative changes of serum insulin levels for 2 hours following the fruits intake.

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