Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice
Published on: November 27, 2019
Utilizing the second-meal effect in type 2 diabetes: practical use of a soya-yogurt snack
Mei Jun Chen1, Ana Jovanovic, Roy Taylor
1Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of a prebreakfast high-protein snack upon postbreakfast hyperglycemia.
Research Design And Methods:
We studied 10 men and women with diet- and/or metformin-controlled type 2 diabetes. Metabolic changes after breakfast were compared between 2 days: breakfast taken only and soya-yogurt snack taken prior to breakfast.
Results:
There was a significant lower rise in plasma glucose on the snack day. The incremental area under the glucose curve was 450 ± 55 mmol · min/l on the snack day compared with 699 ± 99 mmol · min/l on the control day (P = 0.013). The concentration of plasma free fatty acids immediately before breakfast correlated with the increment in plasma glucose (r = 0.50, P = 0.013).
Conclusions:
Consuming a high-protein prebreakfast snack results in almost 40% reduction of postprandial glucose increment. The second-meal effect can be applied simply and practically to improve postbreakfast hyperglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis