Low-glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption

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Low-glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption. This may be an advantage in the control of obesity and related disorders, including insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes.

In a recent study, metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI) were evaluated. In a group of healthy volunteers, glucose, insulin, and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals were measured. Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that indicates the degree of hunger to the hypothalamus of the brain. Lower leptin levels trigger a sense of satiety and decreased hunger.

Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg’s), or Fiber One (General Mills). Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after eating. The GI was calculated from the glucose response to the test meal normalized against a 50 g oral glucose load.

The average GI for Corn Flakes was 125 and 49 for Fiber One. These meals were classified as high GI and low GI, respectively, and were significantly different from each other. The insulin response following the low glycemic meal was significantly reduced compared to the high glycemic meal. The high glycemic meal significantly suppressed circulating leptin levels compared to the low glycemic meal.

Lower insulin response and higher circulating leptin levels suggest that low-glycemic meals promote a post-meal environment that is favorable for reduced food consumption; this may be advantageous in the control of obesity and related disorders including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Ann Nutr Metab 2007 Dec 10;51(6):512-518

Source: USANA Health Sciences

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 7:47 am and is filed under Health Bulletins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Low-glycemic meals produce favorable leptin and insulin responses, resulting in lower food consumption”

  1. Taylor Ryan says:
    February 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    Interesting post. Are the results the same for women?

  2. Dean Carlson says:
    February 11th, 2008 at 7:29 am

    Taylor,

    The study indicated “healthy volunteers”, so it is likely men and women were included. The principle certainly applies to both men and women - stabilizing our blood sugar helps us eat less, lose weight, control bodyfat and live healthier.

    Nice blog, and you are right - real women DO lift weight!

    Dean

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