Lowering of Postprandial Hyperfructosemia in Humans by Eucalyptus Leaf Extract

Excess intake of sucrose or fructose induces adiposity and insulin resistance syndrome, which subsequently lead to diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We evaluated the effects of Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract (ELE) on the postprandial changes in peripheral fructose concentrations during oral sucrose tolerance test in humans. When subjects (n = 18) ingested 25 g of sucrose, both fructose and glucose concentrations in peripheral blood increased transiently and peaked at 30 min after ingestion. Administration of ELE (3 g) 5 min before sucrose ingestion resulted in a significant decrease in the rise in fructose concentration, although no significant effect on glucose concentration was observed. These results suggest that, in humans, ELE ingestion reduces acute hyperfructosemia after sucrose consumption by inhibiting intestinal fructose absorption (but not the sucrase reaction).