Carob Concentrate Shows Promise for Prediabetes Management in Clinical Trial
Key Insights
Planttech Biotechnology Spain (search)'s carob liquid concentrate LVLD (search) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in a 90-day clinical trial with 52 prediabetic participants.
The study, published in Nutrients, showed significant reductions in HbA1c and fasting serum glucose, along with improvements in insulin resistance (search) markers and glucose response during oral glucose tolerance testing.
LVLD (search) is standardized for naturally occurring inositols from carob pods, including D-pinitol, myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, and showed excellent tolerability with no adverse effects reported.
Planttech Biotechnology Spain (search) has announced positive results from a clinical trial investigating its proprietary carob liquid concentrate LVLD (search) in adults with prediabetes (search), marking a significant advancement in natural approaches to glucose metabolism management. The 90-day study, published in Nutrients, demonstrated statistically significant improvements across multiple metabolic markers compared to placebo.
Clinical Trial Results
The randomized controlled trial enrolled 52 participants with prediabetes (search) who received either LVLD (search) or placebo over a 90-day period. LVLD is standardized for naturally occurring inositols from carob pods, including D-pinitol, myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol.
Key findings from the study included significant reductions in HbA1c levels and meaningful improvements in fasting serum glucose. Participants also showed improvements in insulin resistance (search) and insulin sensitivity markers, specifically HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices. During oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), the LVLD (search) group demonstrated significant reductions in both glucose and insulin response.
The treatment showed excellent tolerability throughout the study period, with no adverse effects reported among participants.
Scientific Significance
According to Ignacio Zaldua, CEO of Planttech Biotechnology Spain (search), "These results move carob from a traditional Mediterranean ingredient into the category of evidence-backed metabolic health solutions." The company emphasized that this research differs from previous studies that typically focused only on isolated compounds or healthy individuals.
The publication in Nutrients validates the scientific potential of LVLD (search) as what the company describes as "a next-generation nutritional solution targeting prediabetes (search), insulin resistance (search) and glucose management." Dr. Javier López, who presented the clinical data, noted that the findings show clinically relevant modulation of glucose metabolism in prediabetic subjects.
Clinical Applications
The research suggests that carob bioactives could serve as a scalable, nutrition-based intervention to slow or prevent progression towards type 2 diabetes (search). Planttech believes the publication establishes LVLD (search) as a clinically supported ingredient platform for nutraceuticals, foods for special medical purposes (FSMP), medical nutrition and targeted metabolic health products.
The study data was presented at Planttech's symposium during Vitafoods Europe, where the company explored how new scientific evidence of glucose regulation and metabolic dysfunction can be translated into practical solutions. The symposium featured contributions from internationally recognized experts including Dr. Antonio Vidal-Puig, Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, and Dr. Joana Relat, covering topics from adipose tissue dysfunction to Mediterranean Diet applications.
Future Implications
The research opens potential applications across functional foods, beverages, and targeted nutritional products. As Zaldua noted, "Metabolic health is one of the most important frontiers in nutrition and food innovation," positioning this carob-derived solution as part of broader efforts to address glucose homeostasis and metabolic balance through accessible everyday nutrition.