Increasing evidence shows that whole grain consumption is protective against metabolic disorders. Protective bioactive substances of whole grains include fibre and antioxidants. Activation of grains can increase the amount of phenolic compounds and their bioavailability, but there is little evidence about their effect on glycaemic and insulinemic responses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate glycaemic and insulinemic responses after consumption of flakes made from activated wheat and activated triticale grains. Eighteen healthy subjects (7 men and 11 women) were given activated wheat or activated triticale flakes. As a reference, a standard glucose solution was used. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured during 120 minutes. Both, activated wheat and activated triticale flakes, show improved glycaemic profile, inducing a lower and more stable glycaemic response. However, statistically significant differences in insulin response were found only in the group who have taken activated triticale flakes and not in the group who have taken activated wheat flakes. Activated triticale flakes induced lower insulin response in all postprandial phases and a more stable concentration of insulin. Thus, activated triticale flakes could be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.

Daily intake of cereal fibre reduces incidence and progression of metabolic diseases. Very little is known on how triticale (

Currently, intervention studies in humans have demonstrated that dietary fibre and whole grain consumption increase gut bacterial diversity. However, low-fibre intake drives depletion of the human gastrointestinal microbiota and indirectly stimulates metabolic abnormalities linked to metabolic syndrome insulin-resistance and abdominal obesity. The aim of the current paper was to summarise current evidence for the effect of consumption of cereal fibres on gut microbiota composition and their metabolites. By increasing the daily consumption of cereal fibre, the gut micro-biota diversity should have positive impact on the host’s health.