Effects of Lentil Consumption on Post-prandial Blood Glucose and Insulin

The Love of Lentils (LoL) Study: The Effects of Acute Consumption of Common Lentil Varieties on Post-prandial Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels in Healthy Adult

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of consuming various lentil varieties in mixed-meals (containing either white rice or white potato) on post-prandial blood glucose and insulin as compared to white rice or white potato alone.

Eligible participants will undergo a total of 6 study visits. During each visit, a fasted blood sample will be taken by fingerprick, and approximately 500µL of blood will be dripped into a collection tube. The participant will then consume a meal of either: white bread, white rice (or white potato), or white rice with lentils (or white potato with lentils). White bread will be consumed on the first study visit and the rest of the meals will take place in random order in the visits following. Each meal will provide a total of 50g available carbohydrate. Six more blood samples will be taken by fingerprick at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the beginning of the meal.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy men and women
• Age 18-40 years
• BMI 20-30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Tobacco use
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L
• Any major medical condition including a history of AIDS or hepatitis
• Medical or surgical event requiring hospitalization within 3 months of randomization
• Any medications except a stable dose (3 months) of oral contraceptives, blood pressure or statin medications
• Blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg
• Natural health products (NHPs) used for glycemic control
• Probiotic supplements
• Dietary fibre supplements
• Consumption of >4 servings of pulses per week
• Food allergy or non-food life threatening allergy
• Shift workers
• Alcohol consumption >14 drinks/week or >4 drinks/sitting
• Recent or intended significant weight loss or gain (>4 kg in previous 3 months)
• Elite athletes