Investigation of the Glycemic Load of Umunnochi and Nsukka Honey Samples for possible Health benefits
Nwaneri T. U.; Offurum, J.C.; Iheme C.; Chinagorom E. N. & Nwaozuzu S.C. Department of Chemical Engineering
Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo-Ohaji
E-mail: jullyengine@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This research work is anchored on the Investigation of the Glycemic Effect of Honey Samples from Umunnochi (in Abia State of Nigeria) and Nsukka (in Enugu State of Nigeria), which implies the measurement of how fast and high the blood sugar rises, as well as how quickly the body responds by bringing it back to normalcy after ingestion. As the effect of different foods on blood glucose apparently depends on many factors (including digestibility and the form of food), it becomes a source of concern in the case of Honey, which has high digestibility (with all natural liquid syrup). The honey samples used in this study were collected from Umunnochi and Nsukka extracts respectively, and was subjected to physicochemical analysis (including the sugar content screening) using standard methods. The results of the analysis indicated that the Nsukka honey sample has glucose, sucrose and reducing sugar contents of 20.67,12.70 and 2.04% respectively (giving rise to a total sugar content of 33.37%), while that of Umunnochi honey sample has 21.59, 13.13 and 2.38% respectively (giving rise to a total sugar content of 37.10%). Also, the glycemic load of Nsukka honey sample was evaluated to be and 14.10%, while that of Umunnochi honey is 15.78%. In comparison with the Codex Standard (1-19%), the results of glycemic load for the two samples as being reasonably high for normal persons. But in contrast to this affirmation, the results were beneficial to people with abnormalities of blood glucose regulation, notably Diabetics or Hypoglycemia. Generally, these findings gave credence to the research goal, as a number concerned people will benefit from them by avoiding foods that produce too great a rise and/or foods that are too sudden a fall in blood glucose.
Keywords: Investigation, Glycemic Index, Honey Samples, Health Benefits
