Assessing metabolic flexibility response to a multifibre diet: a randomised-controlled trial

Metabolic flexibility (MetF), defined as the ability to switch between fat and glucose oxidation, is increasingly recognised as a critical marker for assessing responses to dietary interventions. Previously, we showed that the consumption of multifibre bread improved insulin sensitivity and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) levels in overweight and obese individuals. As a secondary objective, we aimed to explore whether our intervention could also improve MetF.

In this study, 39 subjects at cardiometabolic risk participated in a double-blind, randomised, crossover trial lasting 8 weeks, repeated twice. During each phase, participants consumed either 150 g of standard bread daily or bread enriched with a mixture of seven dietary fibres. MetF response was assessed using a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT), analysing changes in respiratory quotient (∆RQ) measured using indirect calorimetry.

Although there were no significant differences in ∆RQ changes induced by dietary fibre between the two diets, these changes were positively correlated with postprandial triglyceride excursion (∆TG) at baseline. Subgroup analysis of baseline fasting and postprandial plasma metabolites was conducted to characterise MetF responders. These responders exhibited higher baseline fasting LDLc levels and greater post-MMTT ∆TG.

In conclusion, although dietary fibres did not directly impact MetF in this study, our findings highlight potential determinants of MetF response, warranting further investigation in dedicated future interventions.