Eating Food in Specific Order Could Benefit Blood Sugar

The order in which certain types of foods are consumed could affect blood sugar levels, according to new research.

A study from Weill Cornell Medical College found that people with type 2 diabetes who are also obese could benefit from from eating protein and vegetables before consuming carbohydrates - both in terms of their blood sugar and insulin levels.

"Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, but if you tell someone not to eat them or to drastically cut back, it's hard for them to comply," explained study author Dr. Louis Aronne. "This study points to an easier way that patients might lower their blood sugar and insulin levels."

'Eat this before that' better than 'don't eat that'

The study included 11 obese participants with type 2 diabetes who were all taking the diabetes drug metformin.

One week, the subjects were told to eat carbohydrates first at meal times, followed by protein, vegetables and fats 15 minutes later.

In another week, volunteers were asked to reverse the order when eating these same foods - first eating protein, vegetables, fat and then carbohydrates.

Results showed that when participants ate carbohydrates last, their blood sugar levels were 29 percent lower after just 30 minutes. After two hours, their blood sugar levels were 17 percent lower than they were following a carbohydrates-first eating plan.

"Based on this finding, instead of saying 'Don't eat that' to their patients, clinicians might instead say, 'Eat this before that,'"Aronne said. "While we need to do some follow-up work, based on this finding, patients with type 2 might be able to make a simple change to lower their blood sugar throughout the day, decrease how much insulin they need to take, and potentially have a long-lasting, positive impact on their health."

Source: Health Day