The most representative physiological function of Tang and Tang L- arabinose is to selectively affect sucrase in small intestine, thus inhibiting the absorption of sucrose. It is reported that adding 3.5% L- arabinose to sucrose can inhibit the absorption of 60-70% sucrose and increase the blood sugar value by about 50%.

Control the rise of blood sugar

As a low-calorie sugar, L- arabinose can inhibit the increase of blood sugar caused by sucrose intake, so it can inhibit obesity and prevent and treat hyperglycemia-related diseases.

Prevent constipation and promote the growth of Bifidobacterium.

The research results in Japan show that women with constipation tendency will continue to take sucrose containing 3%L- arabinose in drinks such as black tea, and the number of defecations per week will increase significantly. According to the experiment of Sanhe Starch Co., Ltd., the intake of sucrose containing 5% arabinose can also effectively promote the growth of Bifidobacterium. Tang and Tang L- arabinose itself is a kind of sugar that is not easily absorbed by digestive tract, and the unused part of the body can be excreted from urine.

Effect on skeletal muscle composition

A study in Japan in 2005 proved the effect of L- arabinose on energy consumption and muscle fiber composition. Obese rats were fed with 20% sucrose diet (group C) and 20% sucrose diet plus 1.5%L- arabinose (group A) for 2 1 week. The weight and cell size of abdominal adipose tissue in group C increased significantly, while the weight and cell size of abdominal adipose tissue in group A decreased significantly. L- arabinose significantly inhibited the increase of blood sugar after 2 hours of glucose administration. When evaluated by respiratory quotient, the percentage of fat energy consumption in group A increased by 12.8%. The number of type I fibers in rectus abdominis increased significantly. Like other skeletal muscles, rectus abdominis consists of type I and type II muscle fibers. These results show that L- arabinose can change the fiber composition of skeletal muscle and affect the growth of abdominal adipose tissue by controlling glycolysis to sugar oxidation. This change of muscle fiber ratio may have the effect of improving type 2 diabetes.