title: Glycemic index values of monofloral Turkish honeys and the effect oftheir consumption on glucose metabolism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clinical trials have shown that low glycemic index (GI) nutrition reduces mean blood glucose concentrations and insulin secretions. The aim of the present study was to determine the GI values of various monofloral (citrus, milk-vetch, chestnut, thyme, lime, pine) honeys of Turkey, and the effect of their consumption on glucose metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Processing data from 20 healthy volunteers, GI values were determined from the glycemia values by using the incremental area method. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels were also measured before and 120 min after the test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GI values of citrus, thyme, lime, chestnut, pine, and milk-vetch honeys were found to be 44.9, 52.6, 55.3, 55.5, 58.8, and 69, respectively. Serum insulin and C-peptide values after honey consumption were relatively lower than those after reference food (glucose) consumption. By the end of the 120 min, serum insulin levels were significantly higher, while a significant decrease was observed after the consumption of chestnut honey (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Citrus and thyme honeys were determined to have low GI, while serum insulin levels were significantly lower after the consumption of chestnut honey. Long-term research is needed to compare the effects of honey consumption on healthy and diabetic individuals.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Medipol University Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ali Timuçin
authors: AT
authors: Atayoğlu
authors: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: Meltem
authors: M
authors: Soylu
authors: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: Sibel
authors: S
authors: Silici
authors: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nuh Naci Yazgan University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: Neriman
authors: N
authors: İnanç
mesh_terms: D005947:Glucose; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006722:Honey; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose
keywords: Honey; glucose metabolism; glycemic index; nutrition