The aim of this study was to explore the glycaemic response (GR) patterns of four dried fruits (DF) and the mixed meals containing dried fruits, rice and almonds. Dried apples (DApp), dried jujubes (DJ), raisins (Ra) and dried apricots (DApr) were tested in eleven healthy subjects in random order. Test meals included the following 3 groups: (1) dried fruits containing 50 g available carbohydrates; (2) mixed meals consisting of DF and rice (DF + R), each contributing 25 g available carbohydrates; (3) Group (2) supplemented with 30 g almonds (DF + R + A). The postprandial GR and other characteristics in 240 min were investigated. The GI values of 4 DFs were 43 for DApp, 55 for DJ, 56 for both Ra and DApr. The DApp displayed the smallest amplitude of glycaemic excursion within 240 min (MAGE0⁻240). Compared with rice, the DApp + R meal elicited a significantly reduced GR and a smaller MAGE0⁻240 (GI 81 vs. 65). With the addition of almonds, the GIs and MAGE0⁻240 decreased significantly in all DF + A + R combinations except DApp + R + A. The ratio of total fructose/glucose contents of test meals were negatively correlated to GIs. Dried fruits and nuts may have the potential to mitigate the postprandial GR when jointly introduced into glycaemic management diets.
Keywords: almonds; dried fruits; dried jujubes; glycaemic responses; mixed diets.