(P06-015-23) Hedonic and Calorie Reduction Effects of Prior Miracle Fruit Application on Meal Intakes in Korean American Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Objectives: The high prevalence of diabetes and obesity has increased the demand for healthy acceptable noncaloric sweeteners in recent years. Miracle fruit has been considered to be a healthy sweetening enhancer for diabetic patients due to its unique taste modifying effect and high antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to examine whether miracle fruit application could improve the liking of meals and reduce energy intakes from the meals.

Methods: Fifty Korean American men and women (50%) with diabetes or prediabetes (mean age 60.2±8.8 years) participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial with each phase comprising three meal sessions. In phase 1, 25 out of the 50 participants were randomly assigned to miracle fruit pill group and the other 25 participants were assigned to placebo (sugar pill) group. In phase 2, the assignment was switched. In each session, after the assigned pill was orally applied and dissolved, participants consumed one of the three meals (American style breakfast and lunch, and Korean style dinner) ad libitum. After each meal session, participants rated their overall liking for the meal using a 9-point hedonic scale. At the meal sessions, the energy intakes of the participants were assessed by weighing all the consumed foods and beverages. Independent and paired sample t-tests were used to compare the outcomes.

Results: The miracle fruit group had significantly higher overall liking values for breakfast (P < 0.001) and dinner meals (P=0.009) than the placebo group, while the miracle fruit group had significantly lower energy intakes from all three meals than the placebo group (P < 0.001). In both groups, women had significantly lower energy intakes from breakfast and lunch meals than men.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that miracle fruit application can be used as a healthy sweetness enhancer to increase the liking of meals while reducing energy intake in people with diabetes or prediabetes. Therefore, it may be beneficial for their weight-loss.

Funding Sources: Professional Staff Congress-The City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) 50 Grant (#62192-00-50)