Value in Medical
D-psicose, also known as D-allulose, is a very low abundance hexose found in nature and is the C-3 epimer of D-fructose. D-allulose is difficult to digest and almost does not provide energy for life activities, making it a very useful low-calorie sweetener. In the field of medicine and health, D-allulose can inhibit hepatic enzymes and intestinal α-glucosidases, thereby reducing the accumulation of fat in the body and suppressing the increase in blood glucose levels. Iida and Hayashi found that adding D-allulose to the diet can lower postprandial blood glucose response, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In addition, compared to other rare sugars, D-allulose can more effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species. In mouse experiments, it was found that D-allulose can prevent testicular damage induced by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, D-allulose has a neuroprotective effect on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell apoptosis and can also inhibit the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induced by high glucose concentration. This indicates that D-allulose has potential therapeutic functions for related diseases such as neurodegeneration and atherosclerosis.
Used for adults with high blood sugar: Blood sugar refers to glucose in the blood. Once carbohydrates and sugars are ingested during a meal, blood sugar levels will rise. This is necessary for the body’s vital tissues, but excessive amounts of glucose and fructose can cause high blood sugar, which can develop into a pre-diabetic condition with high risk. In addition, the excess glucose is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and stored as fat, which can lead to obesity. To prevent adult diseases, maintaining appropriate blood sugar levels is very important.
Potential health benefits: Preliminary research suggests that allulose may have potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving insulin sensitivity, and aiding weight loss.
Overall, allulose is a promising sugar alternative that offers several advantages over sugar and other sweeteners. It can be used in a wide range of applications and may offer potential health benefits, but more research is needed to fully understand its effects.
Value in Food industry
In the field of food applications, D-allulose has high sweetness, good solubility, low calories, and low glycemic response, making it one of the most ideal alternatives to sucrose. Adding D-allulose to food can not only improve its gelling ability but also undergo the Maillard reaction with food proteins to improve its flavor. Compared with D-fructose and D-glucose, D-allulose can generate more antioxidant Maillard reaction products, maintaining the food’s antioxidant level for a longer time. In 2011, D-allulose was certified as safe by the FDA and can be used as an additive in food and dietary supplements.
Allulose is a zero-fat sugar that relieves the rise in blood sugar after eating, and its sweetness is 70% that of sugar. It has high solubility, making it particularly suitable for food processing. Allulose has various effects and characteristics, and it is increasingly expected to be used in the production of high-efficiency, disease-preventing, and popular high-quality foods.
Sweetness values of various sugars corresponding to a sweetness of 100 for sucrose:
Allulose: 70; Glucose: 60; Mannose: 45; Fructose: 120-170.
Calorie values (adults):
Allulose: ≦0.39 kcal; Sucrose: 4 kcal; Fructose: 4 kcal; Glucose: 4 kcal.
Maximum non-effective dose for the body based on moderation:
Allulose: 0.5g for males, 0.6g for females; Xylitol: 0.3g; Reduced Palatinose: 0.3g.
Sugar content (mg/100g) after adding to food and heating (average daily intake of about 0.2g):
Caramel: 82.5; Worcestershire sauce: 129.8; Maple syrup: 57.6; Cola: 38.1.
Value for Plants
Rare sugars like alluose not only have an effect on animals, research has shown that they also have a significant impact on plants. The Faculty of Agriculture at Kagawa University is conducting research on how much rare sugar is needed to induce the discovery of genes that can defend crops such as rice against pests and diseases, as well as on whether it has a regulatory effect on plant growth. They are also developing materials that can induce plant disease resistance and reproductive regulation, and researching their utilization methods.
In order to be practical, Kagawa University is collaborating with private enterprises to jointly develop agricultural materials. What is particularly noteworthy about this project is the use of pure natural substances and edible sugars from nature, from a safety perspective, to create pesticides that are beneficial to humans and the environment. This is unprecedented.
Mouse thorn is a very precious plant that can produce and store allose. There is an inconspicuous reason that proves this: the fallen leaves of mouse thorn containing allose inhibit the growth of other plants around it, allowing mouse thorn to create a favorable environment for its own growth. Mouse thorn, which has managed to survive natural selection by producing and storing rare sugars, is called the “coelacanth (living fossil) of the plant kingdom”. It is estimated that this special method has helped mouse thorn overcome the challenge of survival.
