Clinical Research Directory

Effect of a Sugar Replacement on Blood Glucose Levels in Healthy Adults

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease account for millions of deaths per year. One of the risk factors for both conditions is high blood sugar, particularly after eating (postprandial hyperglycaemia). Lowering blood sugar levels after a meal is expected to have a positive effect on preventing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and improving the metabolic control of those who already suffer from these conditions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Oligomate® (beta-galacto-oligosaccharide) on postprandial glycaemia when used as a partial replacement of glycaemic carbohydrates in a beverage in otherwise healthy volunteers. Volunteers will be given water with either Oligomate® or glucose (control) added. Blood samples will be collected at eight time points (two before drinking the beverage and six after) to measure glucose and insulin levels.

Postprandial Metabolome and Metabolic Flexibility

Metabolic flexibility is a process in which the body can switch energy substrates in different physiological states. This flexibility plays an important role in an individual's health because losing it increases the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Considering that humans spend most of their awakening hours in a postprandial (PP) state, an organism's metabolic flexibility (MF) to respond to a standardized meal's consumption would provide information on the individual's metabolic health. The PP response to glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test or consumption of a high-carbohydrate meal is well described; however, few studies assess the FM and PP metabolome using mixed meals with different macronutrients. The investigators address how metabolic flexibility and metabolome change after consuming standardized meals with different macronutrient ratios. Data collection includes clinical and diet information, indirect calorimetry, and capillary blood sampling during fasting and after consumption of standardized meals. Samples are collected weekly for one month. The data will determine the metabolic flexibility and metabolome after consuming standardized meals with different macronutrient ratios.

The Effects of Vegetable Preloading on Postprandial Glycemia, Insulinaemia and Gastric Emptying

The objective of this study is to investigate the importance of leavy vegetable preloading on the postprandial glycaemic and insulinemic response in human subjects when consumed a specific amount of digestible carbohydrate from Russet Burbank potatoes source.