Prediction of Prediabetes and its Prevention by Functional Food Compounds

Prediabetes, typically defined as impaired glucose tolerance, is a high-risk state of developing diabetes. Although there have considerable scientific progresses in related areas, the extended research concerning antidiabetic action of natural compounds at prediabetic stage has been limited due to the lack of specific biomarkers that enable to identify prediabetes state and elucidate the complicated mechanism of antidiabetic action of natural compounds. The increased formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been confirmed as a vital risk of developing hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, and diabetic complications. Many researches revealed that AGEs have showed great potential to be served as biomarkers to predict prediabetic condition. The present chapter is aimed to offer an overview of prediabetes and the current research outcomes involved with functionally natural compounds in decreasing the risk of developing diabetes at prediabetic stage.