Contrasting Carbohydrate Quantity and Quality and the Effects on Plasma Saturated and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundIt is unclear whether moderate differences in dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality influence plasma FAs in the lipogenic pathway in healthy adults. ObjectivesWe investigated the effects of different carbohydrate quantities and quality on plasma palmitate concentrations (primary outcome) and other saturated and MUFAs in the lipogenic pathway. MethodsTwenty healthy participants were randomly assigned, and 18 (50% women; age: 22–72 y; BMI: 18.2–32.7 kg/m2 and BMI was measured in kg/m2) started the cross-over intervention. During each 3-wk period (separated by a 1-wk washout period), 3 diets were consumed (all foods provided) in random order: low-carbohydrate (LC) (38% energy (E) carbohydrates, 25–35 g fiber/d, 0% E added sugars); high-carbohydrate/high-fiber (HCF) (53% E carbohydrates, 25–35 g fiber/d, 0% E added sugars); and high-carbohydrate/high-sugar (HCS) (53% E carbohydrates, 19–21 g fiber/d, 15% E added sugars). Individual FAs were measured proportionally to total FAs by GC in plasma cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, and TGs. False discovery rate–adjusted repeated measures ANOVA [ANOVA-false discovery rate (FDR)] was used to compare outcomes. ResultsThe self-reported intakes of carbohydrates and added- and free sugars were; 30.6% E and 7.4% E in LC, 41.4% E and 6.9% E in HCF, and 45.7% E and 10.3% in HCS. Plasma palmitate did not differ between the diet periods (ANOVA FDR P > 0.43, n = 18). After HCS, myristate concentrations in cholesterol esters and phospholipids were ≥19% higher than LC and ≥22% higher than HCF (P = 0.005). After LC, palmitoleate in TG was 6% lower compared with HCF and 7% compared with HCS (P = 0.041). Body weight differed (≤0.75 kg) between diets before FDR correction. ConclusionsDifferent carbohydrate quantity and quality do not influence plasma palmitate concentrations after 3 wk in healthy Swedish adults, whereas myristate increased after the moderately higher intake of carbohydrate/high-sugar, but not carbohydrate/high-fiber. Whether plasma myristate is more responsive than palmitate to differences in carbohydrate intake requires further study, especially considering that participants deviated from the planned dietary targets. J Nutr 20XX;xx:xx–xx.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03295448.