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Effects of ingestion of isomaltulose beverage on plasma volume and thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Isomaltulose is a low glycemic and insulinaemic carbohydrate increasingly used as an alternative sweetener in commercial beverages. While isomaltulose beverages can improve hydration status compared to sucrose-based beverages, it remains unclear if ingestion of an isomaltulose beverage prior to exercise in the heat may improve plasma volume (PV) and thermoregulatory responses.

Methods

Twelve endurance-trained men consumed a 1L carbohydrate beverage containing either 6.5%-sucrose (SUC) or 6.5%-isomaltulose (ISO) 60 min prior to 5 successive, 15-min bouts of moderate-intensity (60% of their pre-determined maximum oxygen uptake) in the heat (32 °C, 50% relative humidity), each separated by a 5 min rest. A 6th bout was performed, wherein the participant adjusted running speed to maximize distance covered within the 15-min period. The change (Δ) in PV, heart rate (HR), body core (rectal and gastrointestinal) and skin temperatures, and whole-body sweat loss were assessed during each exercise bout.

Results

Ingestion of ISO induced a higher ΔPV at 4th bout only (P < 0.001) and lower HR (P = 0.032, main effect of beverage) during exercise compared to those of SUC. Body core and skin temperatures and whole-body sweat loss did not differ between conditions (all P ≥ 0.192, interaction effect). Running distance covered in final exercise bout tended to increase (~ 5%) in ISO versus SUC (P = 0.057, d = 0.64).

Conclusions

Relative to a sucrose-based beverage, ISO ingestion prior to exercise in the heat reduced cardiovascular strain by preserving PV and attenuating HR, albeit with no corresponding benefit on thermoregulatory function. The former response may facilitate improvements in exercise performance.

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Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

BL:

Baseline

BV:

Blood volume

CV:

Cell volume

Glu:

Blood glucose concentration

Hb:

Hemoglobin concentration

Hct:

Hematocrit

HR:

Heart rate

ISO:

Isomaltulose

Lac:

Lactate concentration

P ins :

Plasma insulin concentration

P osm :

Plasma osmolality

PV:

Plasma volume

RPE:

Rating of perceived exhaustion

SUC:

Sucrose

T re :

Rectal temperature

T sk :

Mean skin temperature

T gi :

Gastrointestinal temperature

UMIN:

University Hospital Medical Information Network

USG:

Urine specific gravity

\(\dot{\text{V}}\)O2 :

Oxygen consumption

\(\dot{\text{V}}\)O2max :

Maximal oxygen uptake

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Acknowledgements

We thank our volunteer subjects for participating in this study. We would like thank Dr. Tomoyuki Yokoyama for the medical support provided.

Funding

This study was supported by a grant from Bourbon Corporation, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (no. 18H03146) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Exercise and Environmental Physiology, Faculty of Education, Niigata University, 8050, Igarashi-Ninocho, Nishiku, Niigata, Japan

    Shota Takada, Junto Otsuka, Yumi Okamoto, Daichi Watanabe, Mao Aoki & Tatsuro Amano

  2. Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, Japan

    Naoto Fujii

  3. Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    Glen P. Kenny

  4. Advanced Research Institutes, Bourbon Corporation, Niigata, Japan

    Yasuaki Enoki & Daisuke Maejima

Authors
  1. Shota Takada
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  2. Junto Otsuka
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  3. Yumi Okamoto
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  4. Daichi Watanabe
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  5. Mao Aoki
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  6. Naoto Fujii
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  10. Tatsuro Amano
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Contributions

Conception and design of research were undertaken by TA, YE, and DM, data collection and analyses were undertaken by ST, JO, YO, DW, and MA, the manuscript was drafted by ST, TA, NF, and GPK, and all authors (ST, JO, YO, DW, MA, NF, GPK, YE, DM, and TA) contributed to data interpretation, editing and revision of manuscript, and approved the final version.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatsuro Amano.

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Conflict of interest

Yasuaki Enoki and Daisuke Maejima are employees of Bourbon Corporation. The views expressed in this manuscript do not represent those of Bourbon Corporation.

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Communicated by Michael I Lindinger.

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Takada, S., Otsuka, J., Okamoto, Y. et al. Effects of ingestion of isomaltulose beverage on plasma volume and thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat. Eur J Appl Physiol 122, 2615–2626 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-022-05044-9

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