Abstract
The postprandial response to ingested carbohydrate is recognised as a marker of metabolic health. Postprandial hyperglycaemia is observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cognitive deficits are also associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore interventions which moderate postprandial glucose profiles are desirable. Here we investigated the impact of anthocyanin-rich wild blueberries on postprandial glucose response. Seventeen healthy young adults consumed a range of doses of freeze-dried wild blueberry powder, in smoothie form, in both sugar-matched and no-added-sugar conditions. Plasma glucose was determined by a capillary sampling method at baseline and at regular intervals up to 2.5 hours postprandially. Blueberries were observed to significantly extend the postprandial glucose response beyond the period observed for a sugar-matched control, characteristic of a beneficial glycaemic response. Furthermore, blueberries were observed to reduce peak postprandial glucose levels, although statistical significance was not achieved. The findings suggest a tempering of the postprandial glucose response in the presence of anthocyanin-rich blueberry, and are discussed with reference to likely glucoregulatory mechanisms of action and their implications for cognitive and type 2 diabetes research.
Highlights
The postprandial response to ingested carbohydrate is recognised as a marker of metabolic health
Few research trials have been conducted in humans that investigate moderation of the glycaemic response following anthocyanin-rich foods,[14] or have considered how these effects may impact on cognitive function and type 2 diabetes
The results demonstrated that anthocyanin-rich blueberry significantly extended the postprandial glycaemic response compared to the equivalent sugar dose in the absence of blueberry
Summary
The postprandial response to ingested carbohydrate is recognised as a marker of metabolic health. Flavonoid-rich foods have been observed to influence blood glucose and glucose homeostasis. Key mechanisms have been identified in vitro including inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption, facilitation of insulin synthesis and secretion, and facilitation of glucose uptake by cells.[5,6,7,8,9,10] In vivo animal models have demonstrated that these mechanisms can impact upon the immediate postprandial period in addition to longer term glucoregulatory health.[11] Epidemiological data support these findings;[12,13] in particular intake of the few research trials have been conducted in humans that investigate moderation of the glycaemic response following anthocyanin-rich foods,[14] or have considered how these effects may impact on cognitive function and type 2 diabetes
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