BRADENTON, Fla.—A newly published study shows that Delphinol standardized maquai berry extract, a proprietary ingredient HP Ingredients, lowers blood glucose in humans by a novel mechanism (Panminerva Medica. 2014 June;56(2 Suppl 3):1-7).

The study found that a polyphenol-rich water-extract from Chilean maqui berries (Delphinol), standardized to bear a minimum of 25 percent delphinidins, and significantly lowered blood glucose in individuals with moderate glucose intolerance. Investigations of rodent small intestine showed that delphinidin species present in Delphinol inhibit the sodium glucose co-transporter (SGLT), which facilitates glucose uptake from food into intestinal tissue and the blood. The method of action is patent pending by the manufacturer of Delphinol, MNL Group Switzerland.

The double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study used 10 healthy volunteers with moderate glucose intolerance. The volunteers fasted for 12 hours, drank a beverage with 200 mg of Delphinol, or a matching placebo, and consumed 75 grams of boiled rice 30 minutes later. The control group showed a typical blood glucose peak, commencing 30 minutes after rice consumption. In contrast, the Delphinol group showed no noticeable blood glucose increase over a period spanning 90 minutes after eating the rice. The blood glucose levels of the Delphinol group aligned with the control group two hours after rice consumption. Insulin levels did not increase significantly with Delphinol treatment until 90 minutes after rice consumption, at that time insulin levels were identical between groups.

Laboratory experiments with rodent small intestine showed that delphinidin, the lead flavonoid compound in Delphinol, inhibited the SGLT. The SGLT is an energy-driven uptake mechanism for one glucose molecule in tandem with a sodium ion, to reach the interior of enterocytes, cells lining the small intestines. By slowing the glucose transporter, glucose uptake into the blood stream is delayed. The sugar then resides for extended periods in the intestines and gets absorbed over longer periods of time.  

“Delphinol gives formulators the possibility to create complex sugar-control products that are not limited to addressing starchy foods, but to additionally control refined sugars such as sucrose and pure glucose," said Hector Bandelier, CEO of MNL Group Switzerland.

HP Ingredients is the exclusive North America distributor for Delphinol.