Composition of meal influences changes in postprandial incremental glucose and insulin in healthy dogs

Postprandial hyperglycemia and insulin secretion depend on many factors, such as food composition, carbohydrate type and processing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of foods differing in composition in nonobese clinically normal dogs. These dogs were offered in a single meal one of the four foods. Blood samples were collected before feeding and during the 180 min after the meal. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. The integrated areas under the postprandial glucose and insulin response curves were calculated. Times to response peaks, maximum plasma insulin elevation, area under the insulin response curve and the insulinemic index differed between dog foods. Crude fiber content had no significant effect. The time to glucose peak was higher and the time to insulin peak lower with the food highest in protein and ether extract content. The time to glucose peak was correlated to protein, fat and nitrogen-free extract content of foods, whereas the time to insulin peak and the area under the insulin curve were correlated to protein and nitrogen-free extract.