Their observations were published recently in the journal Phytotheraphy Research. In their paper, they concluded that short-term intervention of Eriomin “benefited glycemic control, lowered the systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and reversed the prediabetic condition in 24% of total patients evaluated for all dose tested.”
The paper’s authors were affiliated with Sao Paulo State University in Brazil and the USDA’s US Horticultural Research Laboratory in Florida.
Funding came partly from California-based Ingredients by Nature, a manufacturer and distributor of functional ingredients, including the newly launched Eriomin.
“This Eriomin study is the first-of-its-kind human clinical trial to study the effects of eriocitrin and other lemon flavonoids for three significant and interconnected prediabetic factors: Blood-glucose levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation,” said Thais Cesar, PhD, associate professor of nutrition at Sao Paulo State University and one of the authors of the study.
“The results revealed that the flavonoids in Eriomin play a remarkable role in prediabetes management, prompting us to begin a second clinical trial with results expected by the end of the year.”
Study details: Signs of benefits at every dose
The researchers randomized the 103 participants, both male and female aged 35 to 60, into groups taking doses of 200mg, 400mg, or 800mg of Eriomin or the placebo (100% microcrystalline corn starch).
They reported that individuals in the groups receiving Eriomin for a 12-week period were able to significantly manage glycemic control, healthy inflammation levels within the normal range and increase antioxidant activity.
An average of 24%of the evaluated patients supplemented with Eriomin at any dose showed markers of increased glucose tolerance and returned to normal fasting blood sugar levels.
Though the study followed several steps to meet the ‘golden standard’ of nutritional clinical trials (randomization, placebo-control, and double blinding of the supplements and placebo), the authors highlighted some limitations. These included the relatively short duration of the study (12 weeks), and indirect observation of dietary intake and physical activity through memory and records.
“More studies with longer intervention time and larger sample sizes are needed to better understand the effects of Eriomin in attenuating hyperglycemia in prediabetic subjects,” they wrote.
“In addition, this lack of dose response suggests that studies with doses below 200 mg should be performed.”
Eriomin in the marketplace
Eriomin is a standardized extract of several citrus flavonoids: Eriocitrin, hesperidin, and naringin, which individually have been studied for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic properties.
Rob Brewster, president of Ingredients by Nature, told us that the ingredient has been on the market since June 2019. Though the US is the first market where the company has launched the ingredient, the company is working on worldwide expansion in the near future.
He said that one in three US adults have prediabetes, which he said was influenced by “sedentary lifestyles, obesity, abdominal fat, and unhealthy eating patterns.”
“We have the opportunity to help halt this progression by providing a more natural and proactive alternative with Eriomin,” he added.
Because of the bitter nature of citrus bioflavonoids, Eriomin is best suited for capsules, blends, and tablets. Ingredients by Nature also has a proprietary technology for ‘bitter-masking,’ an optional add on for formulators who want to use the ingredient in drink formulations, Brewster said.
Future studies and sports nutrition
The company said that there is another study currently ongoing on Eriomin, results expected to be published in early 2020. “The second clinical trial will further study advanced prediabetic conditions and the lasting effects post-supplementation,” Brewster said.
“[We] are also developing a variation of Eriomin for the sports nutrition market.”
Source: Phytotherapy Research
Published online ahead of print, https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6386
“Effectiveness of Eriomin in managing hyperglycemia and reversal of prediabetes condition: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study”
Authors: Carolina B. Ribeiro, et al.
