Ketone drinks might help keep your diabetes in check, reveals study

Everyday lifestyle habits have led to an increase in number of diabetes and pre-diabetes patients across the globe.

With more people looking out for ways to control blood sugar, a recent study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that ketone monoester drinks–a new food supplement–may help to it.

“There is mounting evidence that a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet is very effective in controlling blood sugar and even reversing type-2 diabetes,” said study lead author Jonathan Little, associate professor at University of British Columbia in Canada.

“We wanted to know what would happen if artificial ketones were given to those with obesity and at risk for type-2 diabetes but who haven’t been dieting,” Little added.

When the body is unable to control the level of sugar in the blood due to defects in the functioning of a hormone called insulin, it is called type-2 diabetes.

“While type-2 diabetes can be controlled with medications or injectable insulin, many people are looking for options that don’t require taking pills every day or that are less invasive,” Little added.

Also read: Can’t keep type 2 diabetes under check? Here are 5 ways to sort you out

For the analysis, the researchers asked 15 people to consume a ketone drink after fasting overnight. After 30 minutes, they were then asked to drink a fluid containing 75 grams of sugar while blood samples were taken.

“It turns out that the ketone drink seemed to launch participants into a sort of pseudo-ketogenic state where they were better able to control their blood sugar levels with no changes to their insulin,” Little explained.

“It demonstrates that these supplements may have real potential as a valuable tool for those with type-2 diabetes,” he said.

The researchers conclude that the long-term effects of consuming ketones are still unknown.