d-tagatose

D-tagatose is a naturally occurring monosaccharide and a rare sugar that is an epimer of D-fructose. It is approximately 90% as sweet as sucrose but provides only about one-third the calories. D-tagatose is approved as a low-calorie sweetener and food additive in several countries. Its mechanism of action involves poor absorption in the small intestine (only 15–20% absorbed), with most of the ingested amount fermented by colonic microflora to short-chain fatty acids[2][1]. In clinical studies, d-tagatose has been shown to reduce postprandial glycemia and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes by attenuating intestinal glucose absorption and possibly interfering with carbohydrate transport[1][3]. It may also improve lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL cholesterol, and increasing HDL cholesterol[1][3]. Additional properties include prebiotic effects on gut flora and potential antioxidant activity[3]. The compound has been investigated for obesity control due to its ability to increase satiety via reduced carbohydrate absorption[3]. Spherix has investigated it for pharmaceutical use in obesity and type II diabetes; it reached phase 3 clinical trials for type 2 diabetes treatment[4].

Brand names

Naturlose

Other names

tagatoseD-tagD-tagatoseketohexoserare sugar