Postprandial Effects of a Low vs. a High Glycemic Index Food Product on Metabolic Risk Markers in Lean and Obese Subjects

Recent population studies have shown that the glycemic index (GI) of food products is positively associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and CVD, inflammatory processes play a pivotal role. In a previous intervention study (11 weeks), however, we found no effects of lower-GI vs. higher-GI diets on fasting inflammatory markers in subjects with increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome. People, however, spent most of their time in the postprandial period. Therefore, there is a need to study the postprandial effects of low-GI vs. high-GI diets. In addition, it needs to be emphasized the GI is derived from studies in lean subjects, while especially overweight and obese people suffer from metabolic aberrations related to the development of type 2 diabetes and CVD. AIM: To investigate in obese subjects the postprandial effects of a low-GI vs. high-GI food product on metabolic risk markers. A second research objective is to compare these effects with those in lean subjects.