Biological Response to Meal Ingestion: Gender Differences.

Hugo Monrroy,Xavier Correig,Giulio Borghi,Carmen Galan,Fernando Azpiroz,Anna Accarino,Teodora Pribic,Adoracion Nieto,Nuria Amigo

doi:10.3390/nu11030702

Abstract

In a previous study, we demonstrated that women enjoyed and tolerated lower meal loads than men. Hence, we hypothesized that with the same meal load, their postprandial response is more pronounced than in men. We performed a randomized parallel trial in 12 women and 12 men comparing the postprandial responses to a palatable comfort meal. We measured homeostatic sensations (hunger/satiety, fullness) and hedonic sensations (digestive well-being, mood) on 10 cm scales, vagal tone by heart ratio variability and the metabolomic profile before and after meal ingestion. Gender differences were analyzed by repeated measures ANCOVA. Overall (n = 24), ingestion of the probe meal induced satiation, fullness, digestive well-being and improved mood (main time-effect p ≤ 0.005 for all). Women exhibited a more intense sensory experience, specially more postprandial fullness, than men [main gender-effect F (1, 21) = 7.14; p = 0.014]; hedonic responses in women also tended to be stronger than in men. Women exhibited more pronounced effects on vagal tone [main gender-effect F (1, 21) = 5.5; p = 0.029] and a different lipoprotein response than men. In conclusion, our data indicate that gender influences the responses to meal ingestion, and these differences may explain the predisposition and higher incidence in women of meal-related functional disorders.

Highlights

IntroductionMeals induce a biological response that determines the ingestive/digestive process [1]
Meals induce a biological response that determines the ingestive/digestive process [1].The response to meal ingestion depends on the characteristics of the meal and the responsiveness of the eater
Twenty-four healthy, non-obese, non-dieting and weight-stable subjects (12 women, 12 men) without history of gastrointestinal symptoms were recruited by public advertising to participate in the study

Summary

Introduction

Meals induce a biological response that determines the ingestive/digestive process [1]. The response to meal ingestion depends on the characteristics of the meal and the responsiveness of the eater. In a previous study we evaluated the responses to a meal administered stepwise up to full satiation, and demonstrated that women enjoyed and tolerated lower meal loads than men [2]. The study design precluded gender comparisons of the postprandial response, due to the different meal. Participants consumed the meal up to full satiation, whereas in normal conditions other factors determine meal consumption: people stop eating when the food is all gone (availability) or when food stops tasting good (hedonic factor) [3]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion