Glucerna Product Ingredients and Benefits |
Let’s take a closer look at the many beneficial ingredients in Glucerna products that are scientifically designed to help you manage your diabetes and your health. |
Ingredients |
Benefits |
Products |
Chromium Picolinate |
Helps the body’s own insulin work better |
Glucerna Cereal, Glucerna Shakes, Glucerna Snack Shakes |
Omega-3 fatty acids |
Beneficial for heart health |
Glucerna Shakes, Glucerna Snack Shakes |
Sucromalt |
Beneficial for blood sugar response |
Glucerna Cereal, Glucerna Shakes |
DAG oil (Enova™ oil) |
Helps support heart health |
Glucerna Shakes |
Phytosterols
|
Beneficial for heart health |
Glucerna Shakes |
Whole grains |
Beneficial for blood sugar response |
Glucerna Cereal |
Vitamins C and E
|
Antioxidant |
All Glucerna Products |
Unique blends of carbohydrates
|
Beneficial for blood sugar response |
All Glucerna Products |
|
Chromium Picolinate
Chromium is a trace mineral that helps the body’s own insulin work more efficiently to allow blood sugar to move from the blood into the cells.1 Chromium is considered essential because it is not made in the body, and a certain level is needed in the diet to maintain health. Chromium picolinate is chromium in a form that is optimal for the body to absorb and use. Chromium picolinate improves the body’s blood sugar response and helps support cardiovascular health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Glucerna Shakes contain plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which are clinically shown to help support circulatory and heart health. (Glucerna Shakes contain 400 mg omega-3 fatty acid ALA per serving, 25% of 1.6 g DV. Glucerna Snack Shakes contain 197 mg omega-3 fatty acid ALA per serving, 12% of 1.6 g DV.)
Sucromalt
Sucromalt is a key ingredient as part of the carbohydrate blend that helps manage blood sugar response in Glucerna Cereal and Glucerna Shakes. Sucromalt is a fully digestible, low-glycemic carbohydrate source that provides sweetness. Sucromalt is natural — not artificial. As a slowly digested carbohydrate, sucromalt also contributes to a lower blood sugar response.
DAG Oil (Enova™ oil)
Diacylglycerol (DAG) oil, from natural soy and canola oils, is widely available as Enova™ cooking oil in grocery stores. Studies show that consuming DAG oil results in lower triglyceride levels after a meal.2 DAG oil helps prevent the increase of fat levels in the blood, so less is stored in the body as fat, and more of the fat is sent to the liver to be burned for energy. DAG oil is not like the fat substitute ingredient olestra (commonly found in snack chips), which is not recognized by the body and is incompletely digested.
Phytosterols
Phytosterols (plant sterols) in foods help lower cholesterol, particularly when combined with DAG oil.3,4 Phytosterols do not raise blood cholesterol like cholesterol from animal sources (eggs, meat), and because they are structurally similar to cholesterol, plant sterols are absorbed in place of animal cholesterol. As part of a diet for people with diabetes that is already low in saturated fat and cholesterol, phytosterols can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Whole Grains
Whole grains have higher fiber, mineral, and vitamin content than processed grains. Whenever possible, it is better for your health to replace highly processed grains, cereals, and sugars with minimally processed whole-grain products. Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet.
Vitamins C and E
The antioxidant vitamins C and E are ingredients in all Glucerna products. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), in addition to being an important antioxidant, is essential for healthy tissues, teeth, bones, gums, ligaments, and blood vessels (because it helps produce collagen, a connective tissue). Vitamin E supports normal cell structure, enzyme function, and a healthy nervous system.
Unique Blends of Carbohydrates
The key to Glucerna products is their unique blends of slowly digested carbohydrates, shown to help manage blood sugar spikes.5,6 "Slowly digested" means that sugar is not immediately broken down and absorbed into the blood, which helps minimize peaks in blood sugar. Consistently maintaining optimal blood sugar levels over time can help reduce the complications of diabetes. Using Glucerna products help with carb consistency. Each Glucerna product was developed to provide a set amount of carbohydrates in each serving.