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Published on: July 29, 2020
Assessment of Glycemic Response to Model Breakfasts Varying in Glycemic Index (GI) in 5-7-Year-Old School Children
Sandra I Sünram-Lea1, Gertrude Gentile-Rapinett2, Katherine Macé2
1Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YF, UK.
Insights
Low glycemic index (GI) breakfast sugars like isomaltulose provide sustained energy release in young children. Substituting high GI sugars (glucose, sucrose) with low GI options improves post-prandial glycemic response (PPGR) and energy levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Metabolic Health
- Carbohydrate Metabolism
Background:
- Reduced glycemic index (GI) breakfasts are associated with improved cognitive function in children and adults.
- Limited research exists on post-prandial glycemic response (PPGR) to breakfast in young children.
- Understanding PPGR in this age group is crucial for optimizing morning energy levels and cognitive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the PPGR to breakfast interventions with varying GI in healthy children aged 5-7 years.
- To compare the glycemic effects of glucose, sucrose, and isomaltulose in equicaloric breakfast beverages.
- To evaluate the impact of intermittent versus continuous sugar supply on PPGR.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, randomized, cross-over trial involving eleven healthy children aged 5-7 years.
- Administration of three equicaloric (260 kcal) test beverages containing semi-skimmed milk and either glucose, sucrose, or isomaltulose.
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) to measure PPGR over 180 minutes, including analysis of 3-hour incremental area under the curve (3h-iAUC) and Cmax.
Main Results:
- The glucose beverage elicited the highest 3h-iAUC, followed by intermittent sucrose, sucrose, and isomaltulose (significant reduction for isomaltulose, p=0.018).
- Isomaltulose resulted in the lowest Cmax (7.8 mmol/L) and the longest duration of moderate glucose levels (150 min).
- Compared to continuous sucrose, intermittent sucrose supply showed a non-significant trend towards a lower 3h-iAUC (-21%, p=0.288).
Conclusions:
- Substituting high GI sugars (sucrose, glucose) with low GI sugars like isomaltulose at breakfast is effective for sustained energy release in young children.
- Low GI breakfast options can help manage morning glycemic response, potentially supporting sustained energy levels.
- Findings support the use of low GI carbohydrates in pediatric breakfast formulations to optimize metabolic health and energy availability throughout the morning.
Abstract:
Reduced Glycemic Index (GI) of breakfast has been linked to improved cognitive performance in both children and adult populations across the morning. However, few studies have profiled the post-prandial glycemic response (PPGR) in younger children. The aim of this study was to assess PPGR to breakfast interventions differing in GI in healthy children aged 5-7 years. Eleven subjects completed an open-label, randomized, cross-over trial, receiving three equicaloric test beverages (260 kcal) consisting of 125 mL semi-skimmed milk and 50 g sugar (either glucose, sucrose, or isomaltulose). On a fourth occasion, the sucrose beverage was delivered as intermittent supply. PPGR was measured over 180 min using Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). The incremental area under the curve (3h-iAUC) was highest for the glucose beverage, followed by intermittent sucrose (-21%, p = 0.288), sucrose (-27%, p = 0.139), and isomaltulose (-48%, p = 0.018). The isomaltulose beverage induced the smallest Cmax (7.8 mmol/L vs. >9.2 mmol/L for others) and the longest duration with moderate glucose level, between baseline value and 7.8 mmol/L (150 vs. <115 min for others). These results confirm that substituting mid-high GI sugars (e.g., sucrose and glucose) with low GI sugars (e.g., isomaltulose) during breakfast are a viable strategy for sustained energy release and glycemic response during the morning even in younger children.
