Infants & young children
Carbohydrate quality in early-life nutrition can influence how glucose and energy become available after a meal.
During infancy and early childhood, adequate energy and nutrient supply are essential for growth and development. Isomaltulose is a fully digestible, slowly digested carbohydrate that provides glucose more gradually than rapidly available carbohydrates. It may therefore be considered in age-appropriate nutritional products designed to provide carbohydrate energy with a more sustained postprandial response.
At a glance
- Infancy and early childhood require adequate energy for growth and development
- Carbohydrate type influences postprandial glucose and insulin responses
- Isomaltulose provides a slow and sustained release of glucose
- Isomaltulose is fully digested and absorbed
- Its use must be appropriate for the target age group and formulation
Explore further:
Why carbohydrate quality matters for infants
Carbohydrate quality matters in early-life nutrition because different carbohydrates provide glucose at different rates.
Rapidly digestible carbohydrates produce faster postprandial glucose and insulin responses, whereas slowly digestible carbohydrates provide glucose more gradually. This can be relevant when developing age-appropriate foods and formulas that need to provide sustained carbohydrate energy while considering postprandial metabolic responses.
The role of isomaltulose
The role of isomaltulose is determined by its molecular structure. Its glucose and fructose units are linked by an α-1,6 glycosidic bond, which is hydrolyzed more slowly than the bond in sucrose.
As a result, isomaltulose is fully digested and absorbed but provides glucose more gradually, supporting a lower and steadier postprandial blood glucose response and a reduced insulin response compared with rapidly available carbohydrates.
Practical considerations for infants
Practical considerations in infant and young child nutrition include safety, tolerance, age-specific nutritional requirements, and applicable regulations.
Isomaltulose is fully digested and absorbed in the small intestine and provides 4 kcal/g. Its use should be evaluated within the complete product formulation, total carbohydrate composition, intended age group, and relevant regulatory framework.
Conclusion
Carbohydrate quality can influence postprandial metabolism in early-life nutrition. Isomaltulose is a fully digestible, slow-release carbohydrate that provides glucose more gradually than rapidly available carbohydrates.
Its use in products for infants and young children should always be considered within the complete nutritional formulation, developmental stage, and applicable regulatory requirements.
More of healthy living
References
Agostoni C, Braegger C, Decsi T, et al. Role of dietary factors and food habits in the development of childhood obesity: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2011.
Fleddermann M, Demmelmair H, Grote V, et al. Infant nutrition and later health outcomes. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2014.
Koletzko B, Godfrey KM, Poston L, et al. Nutrition during pregnancy, lactation and early childhood and its implications for maternal and long-term child health. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2019. Maresch CC, Petry SF, Theis S, Bosy-Westphal A, Linn T. Low glycemic index prototype isomaltulose: update of clinical trials. Nutrients. 2017.
Maresch CC, Petry SF, Theis S, Bosy-Westphal A, Linn T. Low glycemic index prototype isomaltulose: update of clinical trials. Nutrients. 2017.