Effects of pattern of pulse consumption on postprandial glycemic, insulinemic and appetite responses in the second meal: a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundPulses (beans, peas, lentils) contain slowly absorbed and indigestible carbohydrates. We hypothesize that the specific pattern of pulse consumption across meals affects glycemic, insulinemic and appetite responses during the second meal.MethodsSix subjects (BMI 25–35 kg/m2; aged 21–55 y) consumed ½c pulses distributed across lunch (L) and dinner (D) in 4 patterns in random order with testing 1x/wk for 4 wk. The L, D patterns were: ½c,0c; 0c,½c; ¼c,¼c and 0c,0c (control). Meals provided 30% of energy requirement and were matched for macronutrients, volume and palatability. The L and D were separated by 4h and measurements were continued for 4h post D consumption. Peak and AUC significant (p ≤ 0.05) results are reported here.ResultsPEAK glucose and insulin concentrations were lower after D relative to L (D PEAK as % of L: 94% (glucose) and 86% (insulin) among all patterns. The second meal PEAK insulin (p≤0.02), was lowest for the ¼c,¼c treatment (D as % of L: 65±4% for ¼c,¼c vs. 85±7 to 91±10% for the other patterns). Hunger AUC also differed by pattern (p=0.04) and was lowest for the 0c,½c treatment at D relative to L (75±8% vs. 88±6 to 94±9%), while the pattern of pulse ingestion did not influence desire to eat or fullness responses.ConclusionThough preliminary, these results suggest that consuming ¼c of pulses each at L and D may lower second meal glycemic and insulinemic responses.Grant Funding Source: USDBC and NIH RR025761