Dose finding of OpunDiaTM (O. ficus-indica extract) for its effect on oral glucose tolerance and plasma insulin

Background High-intensity exercise typically leads to a depletion of body carbohydrate stores, primarily muscle glycogen. Therefore, typical ‘sports recovery drinks’ include a high carbohydrate dose together with proteins so as to stimulate muscle glucose uptake and glycogen resynthesis via increased plasma insulin level. In fact, any intervention that elevate plasma insulin following exercise could facilitate repletion of muscle glycogen stores, and serve as a useful ‘recovery agent’. Extracts of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica; OFI) can stimulate insulin secretion [1], but the most effective dose was not yet elucidated.