Taura has conducted independent GI testing of two of its biggest selling URC fruit ingredients, which shows that both ingredients register as low GI – a measure indicating that they release energy slowly into the bloodstream, which can help to keep hunger at bay and assist in controlling blood glucose levels.

Human nutrition researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand recorded scores of below 45 for Taura’s JusFruit URC Apple Strawberry and JusFruit URC Mixed Berry ingredients and ready-to-eat fruit snacks. Low GI foods must register a score of less than 55.

The timing of the results couldn’t be better, with momentum gathering to support the benefits of a diet rich in low GI foods. At a recent summit in Italy, a group of leading nutrition scientists came out in support of the GI as a reliable measure of the effect a food has on blood sugar levels .

At the event – the International Scientific Consensus Summit on Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Glycemic Response – the nutritionists said low GI foods could be helpful in weight management programmes and reduce the risk of people developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and called for GI ratings to be included on labels.

In a separate development, the European Commission has adopted into law an EFSA-approved health claim that “Consumption of foods containing fructose leads to a lower blood glucose rise compared to foods containing sucrose or glucose” .