Glucose and insulin responses to whole grain breakfasts varying in soluble fiber, beta-glucan: a dose response study in obese women with increased risk for insulin resistance.
BACKGROUND
A high intake of whole grains containing soluble fiber has been shown to lower glucose and insulin responses in overweight humans and humans with type 2 diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the linearity of this response after consumption of 5 breakfast cereal test meals containing wheat and/or barley to provide varying amounts of soluble fiber, beta-glucan (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 g).


METHODS
Seventeen normoglycemic, obese women at increased risk for insulin resistance consumed 5 test meals within a randomized cross-over design after consuming controlled diets for 2 days. Blood samples for glucose and insulin response were obtained prior to and 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after consuming the test meals.


RESULTS
Consumption of 10 g of beta-glucan significantly reduced peak glucose response at 30 min and delayed the rate of glucose response. Area under the curve for 2 h-postprandial glycemic response was not affected by beta-glucan content. However, peak and area under the curve of insulin responses were significantly affected by the beta-glucan amount in an inverse linear relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that acute consumption of 10 g of beta-glucan is able to induce physiologically beneficial effects on postprandial insulin responses in obese women at risk for insulin resistance.
Kim
Hyunsook
H
Western Regional Research Center, US Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710, USA. hyunsook.kim@ars.usda.gov
Stote
Kim S
KS
Behall
Kay M
KM
Spears
Karen
K
Vinyard
Bryan
B
Conway
Joan M
JM
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007328:Insulin; D047071:beta-Glucans