Effect of Date and Raisin Snacks on Glucose Response in Type 2 Diabetes

Background and Objectives: Snacks are important parts of diabetes patients’ diet. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of moderate amounts of dates and raisins, as nutritious snacks, on blood glucose, and to compare these effects with sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This crossover clinical trial was performed on 15 patients with type 2 diabetes. In each experimental day, fasting blood glucose (FBG) was initially measured, and a breakfast containing 90 g bread was consumed. Two hours later, blood glucose was measured. Then a snack containing 15 g available carbohydrate from dates, raisins, or sugar was given, and postprandial blood glucose was measured at 30, 60, and 120 min. The procedure was performed on 3 days, each day with one of the aforementioned snacks. Comparisons between the different snacks were done with the Friedman’s test. Results: Consumption of dates, raisins, or sugar did not increase blood glucose (alterations in blood glucose at 30 min compared to the time point before snack consumption were -2.23 ± 32.0, -6.33 ± 24.3, and -2.30 ± 16.9 for dates, raisins, and sugar, respectively), and there was no significant difference between the snacks in blood glucose levels at any time point after their consumption, and also in the area under the curve of blood glucose alterations. Conclusions: In moderate quantities, the effects of dates, raisins and sugar on the blood glucose of diabetes patients were similar. However, considering their nutrient content, dates and raisins may be more suitable snacks than sugar for patients with type 2 diabetes. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Dates, Raisins, Sugar, Blood glucose