Postprandial glucose, insulin and incretin responses differ by test meal macronutrient ingestion sequence (PATTERN...

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Previous research indicates that the order of food consumption impacts postprandial glucose and insulin levels, particularly in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
• The precise mechanisms underlying these effects in healthy individuals have not been fully elucidated.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective dietary strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of consuming a typical Asian meal (vegetables, chicken, white rice) in different sequences on postprandial glucose, insulin, and incretin responses in healthy adults.
• To determine if food intake sequence can be a simple behavioral strategy to modulate glycemic response.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, controlled, crossover trial involving sixteen healthy Chinese adults.
• Participants consumed five isocaloric meals in random order, varying the sequence of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates.
• Plasma glucose, insulin, incretins (GIP, GLP-1), and satiety markers were measured over a 3-hour period.

Main Results:

• Significant interactions between food intake sequence and time were observed for glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP-1 concentrations.
• Consuming vegetables and/or protein before carbohydrates (V-MR, M-VR, V-M-R) significantly attenuated postprandial glucose response compared to consuming rice first (R-VM).
• The V-M-R sequence resulted in lower insulin response and higher GLP-1 secretion compared to other sequences, while GIP response was lower in V-MR and V-M-R compared to R-MR.

Conclusions:

• The sequence of macronutrient intake profoundly influences glycemic, insulinemic, and incretin responses.
• The V-M-R (vegetable-meat-rice) sequence effectively attenuates glycemic response with enhanced GLP-1 stimulation and without increasing insulin demand.
• Food intake sequence represents a promising, simple behavioral strategy for modulating glycemic responses in healthy individuals.