Comparative continuous-indirect-calorimetry study of two carbohydrates with different glycemic indices

Six healthy young men were studied by indirect calorimetry for 6 h after eating a meal composed of glucose or manioc starch (equivalent to 50 g dextrose). Blood was drawn every 30 min for 6 h to measure plasma glucose, free fatty acid (FFA), and insulin concentrations. The glycemic index of the starch was 57%. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were significantly higher from 150 to 210 min and FFA concentrations remained significantly lower from 210 to 360 min after starch than after glucose. Carbohydrate oxidation rose from a similar initial concentration for glucose and starch, to a constant concentration until 200 min before becoming significantly higher for the starch load until the end of the test. Total glucose oxidation was significantly higher with starch. Total fat oxidation did not differ after the two loads. A negative correlation was found between glucose oxidation and plasma FFA concentrations. Use of low-glycemic-index carbohydrates increases carbohydrate oxidation because of lower plasma FFA concentrations and fat oxidation.