Glycemic Response to Different Food Combinations

Investigation of the Impact of Food Combination Strategies on Postprandial Blood Glucose Responses

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of combining starch rich foods with low pH foods on the glycemic response to meals

Low pH foods can attenuate the glycemic response to starch-rich foods. It has been demonstrated that lemon juice, due to its low pH (pH≈2.3) inhibited key digestive enzymes thereby interrupting gastric digestion of starch in vitro. This effect can significantly reduce the glycemic response in humans. In particular, adding lemon juice to a starch rich meal reduced the mean blood glucose concentration peak by 30%.

Considering the panoply of food options available, it is likely that other combinations have similar effects but no work has been conducted to develop a consolidated knowledge base to exploit this strategy. GlucoMatchMaker will go beyond the state-of-the art by addressing this knowledge gap. The main goal is to develop and test the real-life impact of pH-based food combination strategies on glycemic responses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject has given written informed consent
• Subject is available to participate in the study sessions on the proposed dates.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject has an allergy or intolerance to any food and/or ingredient in the study meals
• Body mass index ≤ 18.5 kg/m2 or ≥ 30.0 kg/m2.
• Diagnosed mouth, throat or active gastrointestinal pathology that may affect normal ingestion and digestion of food.
• History of pancreatic disease
• Subject is immunocompromised (HIV positive, transplant patient, on antirejection medications, on a steroid for >30 days, or chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the last year).
• Subject has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes.
• Subject has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse at the time of enrolment.
• Subject is currently taking medication that can effect glucose metabolism and/or normal gastrointestinal function.
• Subject is currently participating in another study, or plans to participate in another study during the study period.
• Women of child-bearing potential who do not use an acceptable method of contraception.
• Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women.