Efficacy of different fibres and flour mixes in South-Asian flatbreads for reducing post-prandial glucose responses in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasing, particularly in South-East Asia. Intake of high-glycaemic foods has been positively associated with T2DM, and feasible routes to reduce the glycaemic response to carbohydrate-rich staple foods are needed. The research question was whether different fibre and legume flour mixes in flatbreads lower postprandial glucose (PPG) responses.


METHODS
Using a balanced incomplete block design, we tested the inclusion of guar gum (GG), konjac mannan (KM) and chickpea flour (CPF) in 10 combinations (2/4/6 g GG; 2/4 g KM; 15 g CPF, and 10 or 15 g CPF plus 2 or 4 g GG) in 100 g total of a control commercial high-fibre flatbread flour mix ("atta") on PPG in 38 normal-weight adults. Self-reported appetite was an additional exploratory outcome. An in vitro digestion assay was adapted for flatbreads and assessed for prediction of in vivo PPG.


RESULTS
Flatbreads with 6 g GG, 4 g KM, and 15 g CPF plus 2 or 4 g GG reduced PPG ≥30 % (p < 0.01), while no other combinations differed significantly from the control. A statistical model with four in vitro parameters (rate of digestion, %RDS, AUC, carbohydrate level) was highly predictive of PPG results (adjusted R2= 0.89). Test products were similar to the control for appetite-related measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm the efficacy of specific additions to flatbread flour mixes for reducing PPG and the value of the in vitro model as a predictive tool with these ingredients and product format. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT02671214.
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. hanny.boers@unilever.com.
Hanny M
HM
Boers
Unilever Discover R&D Colworth, Sharnbrook, UK.
Katrina
K
MacAulay
Unilever Discover R&D Colworth, Sharnbrook, UK.
Peter
P
Murray
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Jack
J
Seijen Ten Hoorn
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Anne-Roos
AR
Hoogenraad
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Harry P F
HPF
Peters
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Maria A M
MAM
Vente-Spreeuwenberg
Unilever R&D Vlaardingen, PO Box 114, 3130 AC, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
David J
DJ
Mela
D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001939:Bread / Q000032:analysis*; D029863:Cicer / Q000737:chemistry; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis*; D004063:Digestion; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005433:Flour / Q000032:analysis*; D005511:Food Handling; D005685:Galactans / Q000737:chemistry; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry; D019518:Postprandial Period
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005685:Galactans; D007328:Insulin; D008351:Mannans; D053149:Plant Gums; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; C007894:guar gum
Appetite; Atta; Glycaemic response; In vitro digestion; Viscous fibre