A process is provided to improve the insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance of an individual's metabolism. The process includes providing at a first location at least one polyol in an aqueous solution. A minor effective amount of a water soluble mineral composition comprising chromium picolinate is admixed with the aqueous solution to produce an aqueous polyol-chromium composition. The composition is dried and processed to produce solid chromium-infused polyol particles. The particles are packaged and transported to a second location. A selected quantity of the chromium-infused polyol particles are used to produce a food product selected from a group consisting of a liquid food including a liquid and at least fifty percent solids by weight, and a solid food composition. The food products produced with the mineral-infused polyol particles are packaged. The packaged food products are sold to the individual. The individual ingests the food product containing the mineral-infused polyol.