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Pinitol

Pinitol is a compound found in soybeans and some other plants, and the body converts it into a form of inositol that appears to help cells respond to insulin. People mostly look at it for blood sugar, and small trials in people with type 2 diabetes found lower after-meal glucose, fasting glucose and HbA1c, especially in those whose control was poorer. The evidence is limited, though: the trials were small, one found no clear benefit, and much of the wider research comes from animal or lab work.

Sources: PMID 16822203; PMID 17467106

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
5
Graded outcomes
0014

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions, plus general outcomes

General

General: outcomes studied for Pinitol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Glucose

Multiple small human trials in type 2 diabetics show reductions in postprandial glucose, fasting glucose, and HbA1c with 1.2 g/day pinitol. An RCT (Kim 2012, n=66) found significant HbA1c and HOMA-IR improvements, especially in poorly controlled patients (HbA1c >8%). Two smaller trials (Kang 2006, n=15; Kim 2007, n=20) also showed glucose reductions. However, one RCT (Davis 2000, n=22) found no effect in insulin-resistant subjects over 28 days, and studies in non-diabetic older adults were also negative. An animal study confirmed glucose-lowering via PI3K/Akt signaling.

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect6 studies153 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

Liver Protection

In a rat study (Magielse 2013), D-pinitol at 2-20 mg/kg/day showed preventive hepatoprotective effects against galactosamine-induced liver damage, significantly reducing AST and ALT levels. No curative effects were observed when administered after acetaminophen or chronic liver injury. No human data available.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study

Studies that measured liver protection

Anxiety Disorders (Other)

Anxiety Disorders (Other): outcomes studied for Pinitol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects

In a mouse study (Alonso-Castro 2019), oral D-pinitol at 1-100 mg/kg exhibited anxiolytic-like effects (ED50 70 mg/kg, mediated via GABAergic system) and antidepressant-like activity (ED50 26 mg/kg, via noradrenergic system). Anticonvulsant properties were also observed. No human data available.

Changes; see studiesSmall effect1 study

Studies that measured anxiolytic and antidepressant effects

Bone Health

  • Bone Health: improves
Bone Health: outcomes studied for Pinitol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bone Health

An in vitro study (Yu 2012) showed D-chiro-inositol, pinitol's active metabolite, dose-dependently inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating NFATc1 transcription factor. No animal or human studies have examined pinitol directly for bone outcomes.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect1 study

Studies that measured bone health

Athletic Performance

  • Creatine Retention: improves
Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Pinitol
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Creatine Retention

One small human trial (Greenwood 2001, n=12) found low-dose D-pinitol (1 g/day) co-ingested with creatine increased whole-body creatine retention over a 3-day loading phase. However, a double-blind RCT (Kerksick 2009, n=24) found creatine plus D-pinitol did not improve lean mass, strength, or body composition over 4 weeks of resistance training compared to creatine alone.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect36 people

Key findings

  • Blood GlucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Liver ProtectionImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Anxiolytic and Antidepressant EffectsAnxiety Disorders (Other)Changes; see studies

Shop Pinitol

Third-party tested Pinitol products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade C

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Studies cited

9 studies from PubMed

  1. Neuropharmacological effects of d-pinitol and its possible mechanisms of actionJournal of Food Biochemistry, 2019 · PMID 31576588
  2. Effects of D-Pinitol on Insulin Resistance through the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus RatsJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2015 · PMID 26063468
  3. A single acute dose of pinitol from a naturally-occurring food ingredient decreases hyperglycaemia and circulating insulin levels in healthy subjectsFood Chemistry, 2013 · PMID 23790912
  4. Antihepatotoxic activity of a quantified Desmodium adscendens decoction and D-pinitol against chemically-induced liver damage in ratsJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013 · PMID 23291573
  5. Effects of pinitol on glycemic control, insulin resistance and adipocytokine levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAnnals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2012 · PMID 22179130
  6. D-chiro-inositol negatively regulates the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts by down-regulating NFATc1Journal of Clinical Immunology, 2012 · PMID 22711011
  7. Effect of pinitol on glucose metabolism and adipocytokines in uncontrolled type 2 diabetesDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2007 · PMID 17467106
  8. Pinitol from soybeans reduces postprandial blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusJournal of Medicinal Food, 2006 · PMID 16822203
  9. Effect of pinitol treatment on insulin action in subjects with insulin resistanceDiabetes Care, 2000 · PMID 10895854