Abbott has introduced Glucerna Hunger Smart nutrition shakes and bars for people with diabetes in US.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affects more than 25 million Americans. If the current trend continues, one in three Americans will develop diabetes sometime in their lifetime. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 per cent of diabetes cases and is linked to obesity and physical inactivity.

For nearly 20 years, studies have shown the benefits of weight loss for people with or at risk of developing diabetes.

The NIH Look AHEAD study's results illustrated that lifestyle interventions – including exercise, individual and group contact, and use of meal replacements; such as Glucerna shakes and bars – lead to successful weight loss and significant improvements in blood glucose levels and cardiovascular risk factors.

The American Dietetic Association's evidence analysis states that "substituting one or two daily meals or snacks with meal replacements is a successful weight loss and weight maintenance strategy."

Glucerna Hunger Smart products are specially designed for people with diabetes to use as a meal replacement or snack as a part of a weight management plan.

The shakes feature a proprietary carbohydrate blend called CARB STEADY which includes both low glycemic and slowly-digestible carbohydrates designed to help minimize blood sugar spikes.

Glucerna Hunger Smart shakes have 180 calories, 15 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugars.

Glucerna Hunger Smart shakes offer 25 vitamins and minerals and are available in Homemade Vanilla and Rich Chocolate flavours.

Glucerna Hunger Smart snack bars offer 140-150 calories and 10 grams of protein in addition to CARB STEADY; they are available in Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp and Chocolate Chip Crisp flavors.

Glucerna Hunger Smart products will complement Abbott's existing line of Glucerna bars and shakes, which also are designed to help minimize blood sugar spikes.

Commenting on diabetes management and the new hunger smart shakes and bars, Molly Gee, said, "As a registered dietitian, I often hear from patients with busy schedules, who are overwhelmed at the prospect of cutting calories. Research studies show that for overweight people with type 2 diabetes, lifestyle modification, including proper nutrition, exercise and modest weight loss of 5-10 percent, can help manage blood sugar and may prevent long-term vascular complications.  Portion control is the easiest way to control calories and meal replacements like cereal with milk or Glucerna Hunger Smart can be great tools to develop a personal, nutritious, low calorie diet. Adding some enjoyable physical activity like walking or swimming can also help people feel better and lose weight too."

"Abbott scientists have been designing and studying the benefits of nutrition formulas specifically for people with diabetes for several decades. We've taken our expertise with slowly digested carbohydrates which are clinically shown to help minimize blood sugar spikes and have designed a new product to help manage hunger. Glucerna Hunger Smart helps to manage hunger and is designed to be an important part of a weight management plan for people with diabetes," said Robert Miller, divisional vice president, global R&D and scientific affairs, Abbott.

For more than 20 years, the science and innovation in Glucerna has been helping people manage diabetes through proper nutrition. Made by Abbott, Glucerna nutrition shakes and bars are specially formulated for people with diabetes, containing slowly-digestible carbohydrate blends to help manage blood glucose levels. The Glucerna line includes great-tasting shakes, meal bars and snack bars that are designed to be used under medical supervision as part of a diabetes management plan.