The effect of different nutritional feeds on the postprandial glucose response in healthy volunteers and patients with type II diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of postprandial glycaemic response to four nutritional feeds with different macronutrient and fibre composition.

DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study.

SETTING: University of Maastricht, the Netherlands.

SUBJECTS: A total of 10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with type II diabetes.

INTERVENTIONS: Subjects received 200 kcal of four enteral nutrition products (two standard products and two diabetes-specific products). Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose were measured for 2 h. Peak glucose level and area under the curve were calculated.

RESULTS: In healthy volunteers and diabetic patients, the feed with a low carbohydrate (CHO), high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and high fibre content significantly decreased peak glucose concentration and area under the curve compared to the feeds with standard composition.

CONCLUSIONS: Special feeds with a low CHO, high MUFA and high fibre content improve glycaemic balance and therefore should be considered in diabetic patients who are in need of nutritional support.