Abstract
Isomaltulose, a structural isomer of sucrose, is digested slowly in the small intestine. Although various factors affect feeding behavior, the relationship between the digestion rate of nutrients in food and feeding regulation is unknown. We examined the effect of isomaltulose on feeding behavior in rats. Food and total energy intakes were measured during the light (7：00-19：00) and dark (19：00-7：00) periods after administration of the test sugar at 7：00 and 19：00. It was found that the food and total energy intakes during 24 hours were significantly decreased in the isomaltulose group relative to the control (sucrose) group. We also measured the gastric emptying rate and blood components after administration of the test sugar. The gastric emptying rate in the isomaltulose group had a tendency to be lower than that in the control group. The isomaltulose group showed significantly lower plasma glucose and insulin levels than the control group. These results suggest that isomaltulose has a prolonged effect on satiety and would likely be beneficial for appetite control.
