A 90-day randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients has demonstrated statistically significant improvements in multiple markers linked to glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in adults with prediabetes using a standardised carob-derived liquid concentrate developed by Planttech Biotechnology Spain, S.L. and sold as LVLD.
The study evaluated 52 adults with confirmed prediabetes and found significant improvements compared with placebo across key metabolic parameters, including:
- HbA1c
- Fasting serum glucose
- Insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity markers (HOMA-IR and QUICKI)
- Glucose and insulin response during oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT)
The intervention was well tolerated with no reported adverse effects.
The study was first presented publicly at the Planttech Symposium during Vitafoods Europe, Barcelona, by Dr. Francisco Javier López-Román, Professor of Physiology at the University of Murcia (UCAM), Spain.
The published paper refers to the intervention as a “specific carob-derived liquid concentrate”. This ingredient has been commercially developed by Planttech as LVLD, a standardised liquid concentrate naturally rich in inositols including D-pinitol, myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.
According to Planttech, the clinically relevant effects observed are linked not only to D-pinitol itself, but also to the synergistic interaction between D-pinitol and the broader spectrum of naturally occurring carob bioactives within the syrup matrix, including polyphenols and micronutrient cofactors.
The findings are significant because previous research has focused on isolated compounds, animal models or healthy populations. This study demonstrates clinically relevant metabolic effects in subjects with confirmed prediabetes using a standardised nutritional intervention in a controlled human trial.
Prediabetes is one of the fastest-growing metabolic health challenges globally and is associated with increased risk of progression to type 2 diabetes. The authors suggest that further research is warranted to better understand the role of carob-derived bioactives and inositols in supporting glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity.
Planttech believes the publication supports further exploration of nutrition-based approaches for metabolic health management, including potential applications within medical nutrition, FSMP and targeted nutritional support products.
