Weight loss
Research finds low GI foods stimulate appetite suppressing hormone
Eating a bowl of porridge in the morning, will keep you feeling fuller for longer, according to new research from scientists at King’s College London, presented at the annual Society for Endrocrinolgy maaeting.
Researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics have found that low GI (glycaemic index) meals increase gut hormone production which leads to the suppression of appetite and the feeling of fullness. Their research is the first study to provide clues as to how a low GI meal produces this effect.
It is already known that low GI foods take longer to digest and release sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than high GI foods, and low GI diets are associated with reduced appetite. However, the mechanisms behind this so far remain unknown.
Researchers at King’s College London decided to investigate the effects of a single low versus high GI meal on gut hormone levels in 12 healthy volunteers.
Volunteers were given an identical medium GI meal for dinner to eat , fasted overnight, and were then given either a low (46) or high (66) GI meal for breakfast. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals, and levels of the gut hormone GLP-1 and insulin measured. GLP-1 is a hormone produced by the gut that has been shown to cause a feeling of fullness and suppression of appetite.
Volunteers who ate the low GI breakfast had 20 % more GLP-1 and 38 per cent lower level of insulin, compared to those who had consumed a high GI breakfast. The increase in GLP-1 production is thought to be the reason why low GI meals make you feel fuller.
Lead researcher Dr Reza Norouzy said:
‘Our results show for the first time the direct effect of a single GI meal on gut hormone levels. We already know that the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and a low GI meal independently lead to suppression of appetite. This study builds on these findings by providing a physiological mechanism to explain how a low GI meal makes you feel fuller than a high GI meal. GLP-1 is one of the most potent hormones for suppressing appetite.
She also added:
This is a preliminary study and we now need to expand these findings and look at the effects of low versus high GI meals in a larger cohort of people.’
Image © vgstudio - Fotolia.com
Porridge, a natural appetite suppressant
Research finds low GI foods stimulate appetite suppressing hormone
Eating a bowl of porridge in the morning, will keep you feeling fuller for longer, according to new research from scientists at King’s College London, presented at the annual Society for Endrocrinolgy maaeting.
Researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics have found that low GI (glycaemic index) meals increase gut hormone production which leads to the suppression of appetite and the feeling of fullness. Their research is the first study to provide clues as to how a low GI meal produces this effect.
It is already known that low GI foods take longer to digest and release sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than high GI foods, and low GI diets are associated with reduced appetite. However, the mechanisms behind this so far remain unknown.
Researchers at King’s College London decided to investigate the effects of a single low versus high GI meal on gut hormone levels in 12 healthy volunteers.
Volunteers were given an identical medium GI meal for dinner to eat , fasted overnight, and were then given either a low (46) or high (66) GI meal for breakfast. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals, and levels of the gut hormone GLP-1 and insulin measured. GLP-1 is a hormone produced by the gut that has been shown to cause a feeling of fullness and suppression of appetite.
Volunteers who ate the low GI breakfast had 20 % more GLP-1 and 38 per cent lower level of insulin, compared to those who had consumed a high GI breakfast. The increase in GLP-1 production is thought to be the reason why low GI meals make you feel fuller.
Lead researcher Dr Reza Norouzy said:
‘Our results show for the first time the direct effect of a single GI meal on gut hormone levels. We already know that the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and a low GI meal independently lead to suppression of appetite. This study builds on these findings by providing a physiological mechanism to explain how a low GI meal makes you feel fuller than a high GI meal. GLP-1 is one of the most potent hormones for suppressing appetite.
She also added:
This is a preliminary study and we now need to expand these findings and look at the effects of low versus high GI meals in a larger cohort of people.’
This article was published on Wed 18 March 2009
Image © vgstudio - Fotolia.com
Related Stories
Use this story
Link to this page
Printer friendly version