The acute impact of ingestion of sourdough and whole-grain breads on blood glucose, insulin, and incretins in overweight and obese men.

Anita Mofidi, Zachary M Ferraro, Katherine A Stewart, Hilary M F Tulk, Lindsay E Robinson, Alison M Duncan, Terry E Graham

Journal: Journal of nutrition and metabolism 2012;2012():184710

PMID: 22474577

Plain Language Summary

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Understanding the role of carbohydrates on glucose levels after a meal is vital for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this randomised, crossover study was to determine the short-term effects of bread consumption on glucose levels, insulin and incretin response in 12 males at an increased risk of T2D. Participants were randomised to consume either 11-grain, sprouted-grain, sourdough, 12-grain or white bread, and blood samples were taken at fasting, after the bread was consumed and at eight additional time points between 15-180 minutes. This study demonstrated that sprouted grain bread reduced the glucose response compared with the other breads, and that whole-grain breads did not improve metabolic responses in the short-term fed state. Based on these results, the authors conclude that glucose metabolism is complex and multifactorial, and suggest further studies be undertaken.

Abstract

Consumption of whole-grain and sourdough breads is associated with improved glucose homeostasis. We examined the impact of commercial breads on biomarkers of glucose homeostasis in subjects at risk for glucose intolerance. In a randomized, crossover study, overweight or obese males ingested 11-grain, sprouted-grain, 12-grain, sourdough, or white bread on different occasions, matched for available carbohydrate (50 g) in part 1 (n = 12) and bread mass (107 g) in part 2 (n = 11), and blood glucose, insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were determined for 3 h. In part 1, glucose response for sprouted-grain was lower than 11-grain, sourdough, and white breads. Insulin area under the curve (AUC) for sourdough and white was lower than 11-grain and sprouted-grain breads. GLP-1 response to sourdough was lower than all breads. In part 2, glucose and insulin AUC for sourdough was greater than 11-grain, sprouted-grain, and 12-grain breads. Sprouted-grain bread improved glycemia by lowering glucose response and increasing GLP-1 response. In overweight and obese men, the glycemic response to sprouted grain bread was reduced in both parts 1 and 2 while the other whole-grain test breads did not improve metabolic responses in the acute postprandial state.

Address: Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1.
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