Postprandial glucose, insulin, and incretin responses to grain products in healthy subjects

Katri Juntunen (Corresponding Author), Leo Niskanen, Kirsi Liukkonen, Kaisa Poutanen, Jens Holst, Hannu Mykkänen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    252 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Various botanical and structural characteristics of starchy food modify the postprandial glucose and insulin responses in humans.

    Objective: We investigated what factors in grain products affect human glucose and insulin responses and elucidated the mediating mechanisms.

    Design: Ten men and 10 women [mean age: 28 ± 1 y; mean body mass index (in kg/m2): 22.9 ± 0.7] with normal glucose tolerance were recruited. The test products were whole-kernel rye bread, whole-meal rye bread containing oat β-glucan concentrate, dark durum wheat pasta, and wheat bread made from white wheat flour. Paracetamol, a marker of the rate of gastric emptying, was added to the breads during baking. Each product provided 50 g available carbohydrate and was served in random order with breakfast (except for the β-glucan rye bread, which was served at the last visit). Fasting and 8 postprandial blood samples were collected at intervals of 15–30 min for 3 h to determine plasma glucose, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), serum insulin, and paracetamol concentrations. The in vitro starch hydrolysis, the structural characteristics (by light microscopy), and the molecular weight of β-glucan in the test products were analyzed.

    Results: Glucose responses and the rate of gastric emptying after consumption of the 2 rye breads and pasta did not differ from those after consumption of white wheat bread. However, insulin, GIP, and GLP-1 responses, except for GLP-1 responses to the rye bread containing oat β-glucan concentrate, were lower after the consumption of rye breads and pasta than after consumption of white wheat bread.

    Conclusions: Postprandial insulin responses to grain products are determined by the form of food and botanical structure rather than by the amount of fiber or the type of cereal in the food. These effects may be mediated through GIP and GLP-1.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)254-262
    JournalThe American journal of clinical nutrition
    Volume75
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2002
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • rye
    • wheat
    • dietary fibres
    • postprandial period
    • blood glucose
    • insulin
    • incretin
    • glucose-dependent
    • insulinotropic polypeptide
    • glucagon-like-peptide 1
    • gastric emptying

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Postprandial glucose, insulin, and incretin responses to grain products in healthy subjects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this