Glucose, Insulin and Non Esterified Fatty Acid Responses to Ladies Finger and Pointed Gourd in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Glycemic Index (GI) and Insulin (as measured by C-peptide) responses of Ladies Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) and Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica) from Bangladeshi origin were investigated to help in creating a better food exchange table for diabetic patients. Based on serving size in the Bangladeshi society, the GL of those two food items have also been calculated. Ten diabetic subjects, under a cross-over design, consumed equi-carbohydrate amount (25 g of total carbohydrate) of the vegetables and white bread (WB, as reference food), with a run in period of seven days between the consecutive items. The serum levels of glucose were estimated at 0, 0', 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min, respectively, NEFA and c-peptide levels were at 0 and 180, min only. GI and GL were calculated by standard formula. Both Ladies Finger (LF) and Pointed Gourd (PG) showed significantly lower serum glucose value than that of WB. The GI of LF and PG were 56±20 and 76±24, respectively. Both LF and PG showed significantly lower serum c-peptide and serum NEFA response as compared to WB at 180 min (p<0.01). The GL of LF and PG were 5 and 6, respectively. In contrast to the general belief that vegetables are rich in dietary fiber and thus necessarily have low glycemic index, the present data shows relatively medium and high glycemic index of LF and PG, respectively. Presence of bioactive natural agents in these vegetables, resulting in the suppression of insulin secretion/action or having stimulatory effect on insulin antagonists, need to be investigated.