Planttech Biotechnology Spain has announced the results of a new study investigating the effects of its proprietary carob liquid concentrate, LVLD, in adults with prediabetes.
Commercially developed by the firm, LVLD is standardised for naturally occurring inositols from carob pods, including D-pinitol, myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.
The new research, published in Nutrients, used 52 participants in a 90-day study.
Those who consumed LVLD demonstrated statistically significant improvements in multiple markers of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity compared with placebo.
Key findings included the following:
- significant reduction in HbA1c
- significant improvement in fasting serum glucose
- improvements in insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity markers (HOMA-IR and QUICKI)
- significant reductions in glucose and insulin response during OGTT testing
- excellent tolerability, with no adverse effects reported.
Plattech presented the study's data at its symposium during Vitafoods Europe earlier this month.
The company said in its statement that this new publication is important because previous studies have typically focused only on isolated compounds or healthy individuals.
"These results move carob from a traditional Mediterranean ingredient into the category of evidence-backed metabolic health solutions," said Ignacio Zaldua, CEO of Planttech Biotechnology Spain.
Publication in Nutrients validates the scientific potential of LVLD as a next-generation nutritional solution targeting prediabetes, insulin resistance and glucose management.
Planttech added that it believes the publication establishes LVLD as a "clinically supported ingredient platform for nutraceuticals, FSMP, medical nutrition and targeted metabolic health products."