The effect of a high fat and high carbohydrate meal on satiety hormone response and subjective hunger in humans

Abstract

The effect of macronutrient content on postprandial hormonal release and subjective hunger was investigated in 10 male subjects. In random order, subjects either continued an overnight fast or were given a meal high in carbohydrate (CHO) or fat Blood samples and subjective hunger ratings were recorded 30 minutes preprandial and at 30, 90, and 210 minutes postprandial. Following the CHO meal, postprandial levels of insulin, C-peptide, and amylin were significantly greater (all: P<0.001) and GLP-1 had a non-significant increase when compared to fat. Following the fat meal, glucagon and GLP-1 increased significantly compared to the CHO meal (both: P<0.001). Whilst hormonal responses were different following the CHO and fat meal, postprandial subjective hunger ratings did not significantly differ. In both meal protocols, “fullness” was associated with plasma GLP-1 (r = 0.84, P<0.01), glucagon (r = −0.80, P<0.01), and C-peptide (r = −0.65, P<0.05). “Hunger” was related to GLP-1 (r = − 0.84, P<0.01) and C-peptide (r = 0.77, P<0.01), whereas “desire to eat” was solely correlated to GLP-1 (r = −0.85, P<0.01)). In conclusion, although a single meal high in CHO or fat produced differing postprandial hormonal responses, subjective hunger was not affected. It appears that there are varying degrees of hormonal action that can influence subjective hunger, suggesting that when different macronutrients are consumed distinct combinations of hormones are released. However, these varying hormonal combinations seem to affect subjective hunger similarly. Funded by AHFMR and CIHR.