Effect of starch structure on glucose and insulin responses in adults

Twelve women and 13 men were given meals containing cornstarch with 70% of the starch in the form of amylopectin or amylose to determine if differences in glycemic response result from different chemical structure. Blood was drawn before and 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after each meal. The meals consisted of starch crackers fed at the rate of 1 g carbohydrate from starch per kilogram body weight. The amylose meal resulted in a significantly lower glucose peak at 30 min than did the amylopectin meal. Plasma insulin response was significantly lower 30 and 60 min after amylose than after the amylopectin meal. Summed insulin above fasting was significantly lower after amylose while summed glucose was not significantly different between the two meals. The sustained plasma glucose levels after the amylose meal with reduced insulin requirement suggest amylose starch may be of potential benefit to carbohydrate-sensitive or diabetic individuals.