Plain language summary
Globally, type 2 diabetes is a growing public health problem. The consumption of blueberries, as well as the phenolic compounds they contain, may alter metabolic processes related to type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate glucose metabolism, gastrointestinal hormone response, and perceived appetite following a higher-carbohydrate breakfast meal with or without whole blueberries As part of a randomised crossover design study, 17 healthy adults consumed a standardised higher-carbohydrate breakfast along with 2 treatments: (1) 140 g (1 cup) of whole blueberries and (2) a placebo gel (matched for calories, sugars, and fibre of the whole blueberries). Each subject participated in two 2-hour meal tests on separate visits at least 8 days apart. Blood samples and perceived appetite ratings were obtained prior to and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consuming the breakfast meals. The results showed that glucose metabolism, several gastrointestinal hormone (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), peptide YY (PYY)) concentrations and perceived appetite did not change significantly with blueberry consumption. However, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentrations were significantly higher at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption of the blueberry breakfast meal than the placebo breakfast meal. The authors concluded that additional research is needed to determine whether blueberries and other flavonoid-rich foods reduce type 2 diabetes risk by modifying gastrointestinal hormones and perceived appetite.
Abstract
The consumption of blueberries, as well as the phenolic compounds they contain, may alter metabolic processes related to type 2 diabetes. The study investigated the effects of adding 140 g of blueberries to a higher-carbohydrate breakfast meal on postprandial glucose metabolism, gastrointestinal hormone response, and perceived appetite. As part of a randomized crossover design study, 17 healthy adults consumed a standardized higher-carbohydrate breakfast along with 2 treatments: (1) 140 g (1 cup) of whole blueberries and (2) a placebo gel (matched for calories, sugars, and fiber of the whole blueberries). Each subject participated in two 2-h meal tests on separate visits ≥8 days apart. Venous blood samples and perceived appetite ratings using visual analog scales were obtained prior to and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consuming the breakfast meals. Results show that glucose metabolism, several gastrointestinal hormones, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), peptide YY (PYY) concentrations and perceived appetite did not change significantly with blueberry consumption. However, pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentrations were statistically significantly higher (p = 0.0367), and the concentrations were higher during 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after consumption of the blueberry breakfast meal than the placebo breakfast meal. Additional research is needed to determine whether blueberries and other flavonoid-rich foods reduce type 2 diabetes risk by modifying gastrointestinal hormones and perceived appetite.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
2
Allocation concealment
:
No
