[Effect of dietetic fruit products prepared with sorbitol and pectin on the blood sugar and insulin levels in diabetic patients].

The effect of four kinds dietetic fruit products, sweetened by Sorbitol (pectin nectar, apricot nectar, apple and strawberry jam) on blood sugar and insulin needs of the patients was studied in 40 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. The results were compared with those, obtained with the consumption of similar fruit products, sweetened by industrial sugar. The study was performed by an apparatus for automatic regulation of blood sugar (artificial endocrine pancreas--Biostator), which supplies the organism of the patients, overloaded with the respective product, with insulin, depending on the degree of glycemia and guarantees "normal" utilization of the product. The results obtained reveal that the blood sugar is slightly increased with the dietetic products, the peak of the blood sugar curve is lower and less insulin is supplied automatically by the biostator during the loading with the product. All values are lower, with a statistical significance, for the dietetic products as compared with the non-dietetic ones (p less than 0.05 to 0.001). Those data provide grounds to recommend the products studied as proper to be included in the diet of the diabetic patients.