Slow release carbohydrate

Carbohydrates supply the body with fuel for daily activities, thinking, and movement, but they’re not all the same.Isomaltulose stands out as a “slow-release” carbohydrate that, while technically a sugar¹ , offers unique digestion and health benefits.

• • It’s a slow release carbohydrate
    Isomaltulose provides carb energy like other digestible carbohydrates (4 calories per gram) but takes 4-5 times longer to digest than sucrose. It’s absorbed along the entire small intestine, providing a gentler, sustained energy supply.

• • Improved incretin hormone response (GIP, GLP-1)²
    Isomaltulose triggers a unique incretin response due to its slow glucose release: it prompts a low GIP release in the upper small intestine and increases GLP-1 release in the lower part—opposite to sucrose. The different incretin response is linked to benefits for blood glucose control, weight management and heart health.

• • Low impact on blood sugar levels and insulin
    Isomaltulose, with a low GI of 32 (Sydney University), has a minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin compared to fast carbs like sucrose (GI: 68) or glucose (GI: 100). Its slow release leads to gradual blood sugar rises, preventing spikes and supporting stable levels, beneficial for metabolic health and lowering risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.

• • Steady & sustained energy supply
    Isomaltulose provides steady, sustained energy, avoiding the sharp fluctuations caused by fast carbs. This slow release supports metabolism and balanced nutrition, helping maintain energy for active lifestyles, enhancing performance during busy days, and supporting fitness in sports. It’s also linked to improved cognitive performance and mood stability as shown in both schoolchildren and older adults.

• • Higher fat burning
    Isomaltulose provides steady carbohydrate energy, promoting higher fat-burning rates. Unlike fast carbs that spike blood sugar and insulin. Its gradual glucose release triggers a lower insulin response, supporting greater fat use for energy. This shift in metabolism towards fat burning aids metabolic health, weight management, and lower body fat. For athletes, increased fat burning can help conserve carbohydrate stores, benefiting endurance and performance.

1. The term “sugars” refers to carbohydrates with one or two saccharide units, i.e. it includes monosaccharides and disaccharides but not carbohydrates with three or more saccharide units. The definition of sugars does not consider any physiological aspects of these carbohydrates.
2. GIP: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide; GLP-1: glucagon-like peptide