Short-Term Effects of Traditional Greek Meals: Lentils with Lupins, Trahana with Tomato Sauce and Halva with Currants and Dried Figs on Postprandial Glycemic Responses—A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Humans

Abstract

Low glycemic index (GI) diets have been associated with decreased chronic disease risk. In a randomized, cross-over study we investigated the GI and glycemic response to three traditional Greek mixed meals: Lentils, Trahana, and Halva. Twelve healthy, fasting individuals received isoglucidic test meals (25 g available carbohydrate) and 25 g glucose reference, in random order. GI was calculated and capillary blood glucose (BG) samples were collected at 0–120 min after meal consumption. Subjective appetite ratings were assessed. All three tested meals provided low GI values. Lentils GI was 27 ± 5, Trahana GI was 42 ± 6, and Halva GI was 52 ± 7 on glucose scale. Peak BG values were lowest for Lentils, followed by Trahana and then by Halva (p for all <0.05). Compared to the reference food, BG concentrations were significantly lower for all meals at all time-points (p for all <0.05). Lentils provided lower glucose concentrations at 30 and 45 min compared to Trahana (p for all <0.05) and at 30, 45, and 60 min compared to Halva (p for all <0.05). BG concentrations did not differ between Trahana and Halva at all time points. No differences were observed for fasting BG, time to peak rise for BG, and subjective appetite ratings. In conclusion, all three mixed meals attenuated postprandial glycemic response in comparison to glucose, which may offer advantages to glycemic control.

Empfehlungen zur Ernährungsprävention des Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus

“…Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zur postprandialen blutzuckersenkenden Wirkung von Linsen von Papakonstantinou et al 55 kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der Verzehr von Linsen die akute Blutzucker- und Insulinreaktionen im Vergleich zu stärkehaltigen Kontrollnahrungsmitteln konsequent senkt, der genaue Mechanismus ist noch unklar. Es wurde diskutiert, dass die kleinste wirksame Portion Linsen etwa 110 g (gekocht) beträgt, um die postprandiale Blutzuckerkonzentration um 20 % zu senken.…”

“…B. Brasilien, Mexiko und Puerto Rico), keine Assoziationen beobachtet, während im Gegensatz dazu die stärksten positiven Zusammenhänge in Kohorten mit geringem Verzehr beobachtet wurden (z. B. Deutschland, Großbritannien und Schweden).Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zur postprandialen blutzuckersenkenden Wirkung von Linsen von Papakonstantinou et al[55] kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der Verzehr von Linsen die akute Blutzucker-und Insulinreaktionen im Vergleich zu stärkehaltigen Kontrollnahrungsmitteln konsequent senkt, der genaue Mechanismus ist noch unklar. Es wurde diskutiert, dass die kleinste wirksame Portion Linsen etwa 110 g (gekocht) beträgt, um die postprandiale Blutzuckerkonzentration um 20 % zu senken.…”

Nutritional Recommendations for the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…The results of the study on the postprandial hypoglycaemic effect of lentils by Papakonstantinou et al [55] conclude that lentil consumption consistently reduces acute blood glucose and insulin responses compared to starchy control foods, the exact mechanism is still unclear. It has been discussed that the smallest effective serving of lentils is about 110 g (cooked) to reduce postprandial blood glucose concentration by 20 %.…”

Timing and Nutrient Type of Isocaloric Snacks Impacted Postprandial Glycemic and Insulinemic Responses of the Subsequent Meal in Healthy Subjects

“…The study consisted of seven separate experimental conditions in a randomized, openlabel, crossover design with each session being separated by a wash-out period of at least one day. An online computer software program (http://www.randomizer.org; accessed on 1 March 2021) was used for the simple randomization of the sequence of the treatments [16]. If any subject was menstruating during the trial, the schedule was rearranged.…”