Scientists have developed a method to identify individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity through a simple saliva test.
The innovative approach works by measuring insulin concentrations in saliva samples, offering a needle-free alternative to traditional blood tests, new findings have shown.
The research team discovered that this non-invasive technique can detect elevated insulin levels, known as hyperinsulinemia, which serves as an early indicator of metabolic dysfunction.
Such a condition often precedes the development of type 2 diabetes by one to two decades, providing a crucial window for preventive intervention by making lifestyle changes.
The research assessed and compared data aggregated from 94 adults
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The research, published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, examined 94 healthy adults with varying body compositions.
Following an overnight fast, participants consumed a standardised meal-replacement beverage before providing saliva samples at 30, 60 and 90-minute intervals.
Researchers also conducted finger-prick blood glucose tests for comparison. The findings revealed that individuals with obesity exhibited significantly elevated salivary insulin concentrations compared to those with lower body weights, despite maintaining identical blood sugar readings.
"People living with obesity had much higher insulin levels in their saliva than those who were slightly overweight or had lower body weight—even though their blood sugar levels were the same," professor at UBC Okanagan's School of Health and Exercise Sciences Dr Jonathan Little commented.
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The detection of hyperinsulinemia through saliva testing holds particular significance as this condition typically emerges between 10 and 20 years prior to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This extended timeframe offers substantial opportunities for early intervention.
"If hyperinsulinemia can be detected before blood glucose levels start to rise, people at risk for type 2 diabetes could be identified early, allowing for lifestyle changes and other treatments to be introduced long before glucose levels rise," Dr Little noted.
Hyperinsulinemia is already a recognised predictor for numerous chronic diseases beyond diabetes, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.
Meanwhile, further research has also established connections between elevated insulin levels and obesity development.
Waist circumference showed the strongest correlation with salivary insulin concentrations
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Meanwhile, some participants with leaner physiques demonstrated substantial insulin spikes in their saliva following the meal-replacement drink, indicating a potential metabolic vulnerability despite their healthy weight and normal blood glucose readings.
"The finding that some people who are lean have high insulin is intriguing," study co-author Dr Hossein Rafiei said. "This indicates that saliva insulin may be more useful than measuring someone's weight or waist size."
When examining various physical measurements, researchers determined that waist circumference showed the most robust correlation with salivary insulin concentrations, surpassing age, sex and overall body weight as predictive factors.