Experts found that eating protein-rich food before carbs may be beneficial for patients who are obese or with diabetes, as this could help lower postprandial glucose and insulin. The findings of this new study may influence how medical practitioners manage and educate their patients about correct eating habits.
Previous claims that the order at which food items are ingested may affect glucose levels were the focus of this current study. The researchers conducted an experiment involving 11 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and obesity. All of them were taking an anti-diabetes drug called metformin. The researchers made them eat a full Western-style meal, consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, fat and vegetables on two separate occasions. The food items rich in carbohydrates include ciabatta bread and orange juice. The protein, fat and vegetables group include chicken breast, steamed broccoli with butter and tomato and lettuce salad with low-fat dressing.
During the first trial, the investigators obtained the study subjects' fasting blood glucose levels twice. The first test was performed during the morning and the second one, 12 hours post last meal. The participants were then asked to eat the carbohydrate-rich food served. After 15 minutes, the protein, fat and vegetable group were then consumed. The researchers obtained the subjects' blood glucose 30, 60 and 120 minutes after eating the complete meal. The participants were invited again after a week. Their blood glucose levels were again checked and the same process of testing were conducted, but this time, they were asked to eat the protein, fat and vegetable food items first, followed by carbohydrate sources after 15 minutes. Post-meal blood glucose tests were also performed, as patterned to the original interval times.
The findings of the study published in the journal Diabetes Care show that the results of the 30, 60 and 120 minute glucose checks decreased by 29 percent, 37 percent and 17 percent respectively. With this, the investigators have confirmed that the order at which food is eaten may be an effective way to control the glucose and insulin levels of patients with diabetes.
"We're always looking for ways to help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar," says Dr. Louis Aronne, senior author, principal investigator and professor at the Sanford I. Weill Professor of Metabolic Research and Weill Cornell Medical College. "We rely on medicine, but diet is an important part of this process, too. Unfortunately, we've found that it's difficult to get people to change their eating habits."
People find it hard to comply on instructions pertaining to limiting their carbohydrate intake but through this study, patients may now have an easier option to decrease their blood glucose and insulin levels, he adds.
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