Trehalose – A Sugar that actually helps
Trehalose is a unique sugar found in many types of plants and occurs naturally in very small amounts in a variety of foods such as mushrooms, honey, and foods with bakers and brewers yeast.
In simple terms Trehalose is made from 2 glucose molecules that are joined by very strong bonds that are created during an enzymatic process.
These bonds are the key to why Trehalose is very different to other plant sugars and for that matter very special.
Commercially, Trehalose is made from corn-starch which is put through a patented process that involves an enzyme. When ingested Trehalose is not broken down into Glucose nearly as quickly as corn starch, sucrose, fructose or any other starchy or sugary compound.
Compared to Glucose Trehalose has virtually no immediate or long term effect on blood Glucose levels and it is this feature that makes it of great interest to anyone struggling with blood sugar level management. Once ingested the Trehalose is only converted to Glucose in the small intestine and it is this that results in a lower blood glucose level.
It supplies energy with a clean taste and half the sweetness of sucrose. As a result, trehalose is effective in enhancing – not masking – the natural flavours in different types of foods.
Preliminary research indicates that trehalose, when tested as a sports beverage supplement, elicits a lower insulin response than glucose when provided to competitive and recreational athletes before or during continuous exercise.
