Effects of Different Types of Carbohydrates in Snacks and Beverages on Glycemia, Insulinemia and Appetite.

Asia has the unenviable reputation as being the epicenter for type 2 diabetes. The Asian phenotype has been shown to be most susceptible to diabetes than Caucasians. More importantly, the transition from prediabetes to diabetes is more drastic and severe in Asians. The glycemic index (GI) was first introduced in 1981 as a classification of the blood glucose raising potential of carbohydrate foods. There is substantial evidence suggesting that consumption of low glycemic index (GI) foods minimize blood glucose fluctuations, and help in the prevention and management of diabetes and prediabetes. Given the rising incidence of prediabetes and diabetes in Asia, dietary interventions to complement pharmacological management of diabetes are increasingly being encouraged. The majority of studies on GI and Glycemic Response (GR) have been conducted on Caucasian populations. Asians have been shown to have a greater GR to the same food compared to Caucasians. Simple dietary modification such as increasing dietary fiber in a food has been shown to reduce GR. However, it is unclear if a palatable, low-viscous, soluble fiber and maltodextrin have comparable effect. Although viscous insoluble fiber has been shown to also suppress appetite, it was unclear if similar effects could be obtained when it is replaced with soluble fiber. Using the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), Henry and his colleagues have demonstrated that exchanging high-GI bread with a low-GI bread could improve the 24h glucose profile. More recently investigators have shown, using the CGMS, that the consumption of a low GI breakfast and afternoon snack was capable of attenuating 24-hour blood glucose profiles, minimizing glycemic excursions and reducing food intake in healthy Asian males. These simple dietary interventions appear to be an acceptable approach in improving overall glycemia and energy balance in Asians.