More good news on whey protein for diabetics

Eating whey protein before breakfast could help prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes, a new study suggests.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Lund University found that whey can help to improve the body's response to insulin - perhaps even as well as anti-diabetic drugs.

"High milk intake has long been associated with lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and milk whey protein increases the production of a gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that stimulates insulin secretion," Prof. Daniela Jakubowicz said in a press release. "This, in turn, reduces the blood glucose rise after meals."

Early insulin response

The study included 15 individuals with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to eat either 50 grams of whey mixed with water or a placebo. Following this, the participants ate a high-glycemic breakfast intended to produce a spike in blood sugar.

Researchers found that whey-eating participants showed a 28-percent glucose drop during the 180-minute post-meal follow-up period.

Insulin response in these individuals was also 105 percent higher, and the whey also seemed to trigger a 96 percent increase in early insulin response.

"The early insulin response that usually is deficient in type-2 diabetes was significantly higher after whey protein than with placebo, and the whey protein preload significantly reduced the elevation of blood glucose after breakfast," said Prof. Jakubowicz. "Whey protein could therefore represent a novel approach for enhancing glucose-lowering strategies in type 2 diabetes."

Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University