Sucromalt Better than Glucose for Maintaining Mental, Physical Energy, Cargill Study Shows

Sucromalt, a slowly digestible carbohydrate, may better maintain feelings of mental and physical energy compared to glucose, according to new research performed by Cargill (Minneapolis). The company markets its Xtend sucromalt brand, which the firm calls a source of “steadier” energy delivery that doesn’t cause blood glucose spikes because it is slowly digestible.

In a crossover study published in October in Nutritional Neuroscience, researchers provided 44 healthy adults with either a morning beverage formulated with 75 g of sucromalt or glucose. Subjects then completed a questionnaire to rate their levels of mental and physical energy and fatigue over the next five hours.

According to researchers, sucromalt subjects experienced significantly greater mental and physical energy, and delayed physical and mental fatigue. Cargill says further research is needed to understand from a metabolic perspective why sucromalt may provide these benefits, beyond its effects on postprandial glycemic response.

The company says this preliminary research could eventually give consumers more options for energizing ingredients. “Despite the growth of super-caffeinated products, it is clear that a growing sector of the population wants more options,” stated Cargill’s Xtend line manager Deborah Schulz.