Limited research in humans suggests that slowly digestible starch may blunt the postprandial increase and subsequent decline of plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, leading to prolonged energy availability and satiety, compared to more rapidly digestible starch. This study examined the postprandial metabolic and appetitive responses of waxy maize starch (WM), a slow-digestible starch. It was hypothesized that the waxy maize treatment would result in a blunted and more sustained glucose and insulin response, as well as energy expenditure and appetitive responses. Twelve subjects (6 men and 6 women) (age, 23 ± 1 years; body mass index, 22.2 ± 0.7 kg/m2; insulin sensitivity [homeostatic model assessment], 16% ± 2%; physical activity, 556 ± 120 min/wk) consumed, on separate days, 50 g of available carbohydrate as WM, a maltodextrin-sucrose mixture (MS), or white bread (control). Postprandial plasma glucose and insulin, energy expenditure, and appetite (hunger, fullness, desire to eat) were measured over 4 hours. Compared to control, the 4-hour glucose response was not different for MS and WM, and the 4-hour insulin response was higher for MS (P < .005) and lower for WM (P < .05). Compared to MS, WM led to lower 4-hour glucose and insulin responses (P < .001). These differences were driven by blunted glucose and insulin responses during the first hour for WM. Postprandial energy expenditure and appetite were not different among treatments. These results support that WM provides sustained glucose availability in young, insulin-sensitive adults.

Background: The postprandial metabolic and appetitive responses of waxy maize, a slow‐digesting carbohydrate (CHO), are undocumented in humans and were examined in this study.Methods: 12 young, physically fit men and women (age: 23 ± 1 y; BMI: 22.2 ± 0.7 kg/m2; physical activity: 556 ± 120 min/wk) consumed, on separate testing days, 50 g of available CHO as either fast‐digesting maltodextrin (M) or waxy‐maize starch (WM). Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, whole body energy expenditure and appetite (hunger, fullness, and desire to eat) were measured over 4 h.Results: Compared to M, WM led to lower postprandial glucose (1082 ± 151 vs. 2186 ± 262 mg/dL•240 min; p<0.001) and insulin (833 ±164 vs. 1628 ± 165 uU/mL•240 min; p<0.005) area under the curve during the 4 h period. These differences were driven by the blunted glucose response during the first hour (p<0.001) and the blunted insulin response during the first two hours (p<0.005) in WM. CHO utilization was lower after 1 h but higher after 4 h following WM vs. M. Composite CHO utilization over the entire 4 h period was not different between WM and M. No differences in energy expenditure or appetite were observed between WM vs. M.Conclusion: These results support that waxy maize provides sustained glucose availability in young, physically fit adults.Support: US Army, Natick Soldier RDECOM, Combat Feeding Directorate; Ingestive Behavior Res. Ctr., Purdue University