Study Finds Ketone Monoester Drinks May Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

With the consistent rise in the rates of diabetes and prediabetes globally, there is an increasing need for new, effective, and improved strategies not just to keep blood glucose levels in check but also to minimize associated health risks. Traditional methods, such as medication and lifestyle changes, while important, may not be sufficient on their own. 

This is where emerging solutions like ketone monoester drinks come in: drinks that have shown some promise to help manage blood sugar levels more effectively, and thus provide a new way in the management of diabetes, which is a valuable addition to the current treatment options.

A study (R) conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus has found a novel strategy to help control blood glucose levels, suggesting that drinking ketone monoester drinks could be beneficial. This is gaining a lot of popularity due to its positive impact on managing diabetes.

Jonathan Little, associate professor at UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences and lead author of the study, noted that there is increasing global interest in ketone drinks and supplements for combating diabetes. This rising demand has made these products very popular in the market.

Given their novelty and formula, there is limited research on how ketone monoester drinks affect the body’s metabolism. This study is among the first to explore this in non-athletes, aiming to address the curiosity surrounding these products.

For those unaware, Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body fails to control blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin function.

Little further emphasizes that the condition is reaching alarming levels in Canada and worldwide, potentially causing an epidemic. While Type 2 diabetes can be managed with medication and insulin injections, many patients prefer alternatives that do not require daily pills.

Ketone supplements are emerging as a potent remedy for Type 2 diabetes because ketone bodies are believed to be a natural fuel source for the body during ketosis, a byproduct of a ketogenic diet.

Little elaborates on how consuming a low-carb ketogenic diet is highly effective in managing blood sugar levels and improving the condition of Type 2 diabetes.

The main objective of the researchers was to determine the effects of ketone supplements on patients at high risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes who were not following a ketogenic diet.

For the study, the researchers recruited 15 subjects. After fasting overnight, they were asked to consume a ketone-based drink. After 30 minutes, the subjects consumed 75 grams of sugar, and blood samples were then collected for analysis.

Following that, the observations revealed that the keto drink induced a pseudo-ketogenic state in the participants but did not impact their insulin levels.

This was enough for the researchers to conclude that these drinks could potentially have significant benefits in treating Type 2 diabetes in the long run.

However, Little also clarified that further research is needed to understand how it works and its long-term effects on the body.

The researchers need to be confident about the long-term effects of ketones on the body before they can endorse them as an effective measure for controlling Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the drink’s unpleasant taste must be addressed to make it more palatable.

However, the researchers also believe that for those already on a strict ketogenic diet and seeking additional ways to manage Type 2 diabetes, ketone monoester drinks could prove to be a valuable remedy once any remaining issues are resolved.

• Jan 2020
  Written by Somapika D
• Sep 2024
  Edited by Lakshmi Gayatri