Researchers studied the effects of a high-protein breakfast on blood sugar control and appetite as the need to discover foods to prevent or manage obesity and type 2 diabetes is at a critical level. Consuming dairy products with carbohydrates can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, studies have shown that consuming dairy with carbohydrates helps lower blood sugar. This is thought to be due to the casein and whey proteins within dairy products. The body digests whey protein quickly, whereas casein protein is digested at a slower rate.
In a study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, researchers studied the effects of a high-protein breakfast on blood sugar control and appetite. The study was conducted by scientists at the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the University of Toronto, in Canada.
For this randomized, controlled, double-blinded study, researchers randomly grouped participants to either consume a meal considered low-protein or a meal considered high-protein. The meals consisted of cereal with milk. One meal was cereal with low-protein milk (whey protein), and the other meal was cereal with high-protein milk (whey and casein proteins).
Researchers found that both meals reduced blood sugar, but the higher protein meal was more effective. Researchers found the high-protein meal made participants feel full longer than the low-protein meal. Furthermore, when participants consumed the high-protein meal, they found their appetite was reduced after eating their second meal of the day. Researchers also found that females were more likely to be satisfied and have a decreased appetite.
According to a press release from Elsevier, the researchers Goff and colleagues note that “this study confirms the importance of milk at breakfast time to aid in the slower digestion of carbohydrate and to help maintain lower blood sugar levels”.
Consuming a high-protein breakfast can help reduce blood sugar and appetite. More studies focusing on blood sugar control and appetite need to be carried out to help reduce the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
References
- Elsevier. Consuming milk at breakfast lowers blood glucose throughout the day. Published August 20, 2018. https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/research-and-journals/consuming-milk-at-breakfast-lowers-blood-glucose-throughout-the-day.
- Kung B, Anderson GH, Paré S, et al. Effect of milk protein intake and casein-to-whey ratio in breakfast meals on postprandial glucose, satiety ratings, and subsequent meal intake. J Dairy Sci. 2018;101(10):8688-8701. doi:10.3168/jds.2018-14419
