A breakfast high in protein can lead to better glucose control, which is important in preventing the onset of diabetes, according to recent research. — AFP picMISSOURI, Feb 26 — Skipping breakfast could change how your body manages its glucose levels and could one day possibly contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Missouri.
“These findings may indicate an increased inability among habitual breakfast skippers to metabolise a large quantity of protein,” says study author Heather Leidy, an assistant professor in the MU Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.
In the study, researchers worked with 35 overweight young women between the ages of 18 and 20 that were either breakfast-skippers or breakfast eaters whose Body Mass Index (BMI) ranged between 27.3 and 29.1.
The breakfast-skippers were assigned to one of three situations for three days in a row: eating a high carbohydrate breakfast; a high protein breakfast; or to continue skipping.
Breakfast eaters ate either a high carbohydrate or a high protein breakfast for three consecutive days.
On the fourth day, participants continued their assigned breakfast pattern and researchers measured their glucose and insulin levels throughout the day.
Testing revealed that participants’ glucose responses to breakfast were influenced by their habits.
Breakfast skippers experienced high glucose levels throughout the day after eating a high protein breakfast, yet the high carbohydrate breakfast and continuing to skip did not have this effect.
For routine breakfast eaters, the high-protein breakfast led to reduced glucose levels during the rest of the day.
“Current scientific evidence shows that sustained elevations in post-meal glucose is a strong contributor of poor glycemic control and is associated with an increased risk for the development of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications,” says Leidy.
To get back on track, Leidy says to gradually increase the protein proportion of your breakfast once you resume the habit of eating it.
For young women, she recommends a 350-calorie breakfast with approximately 30 grams of protein, which can be found in scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos with eggs and lean meat or Greek yoghurt.
The study was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. — AFP-Relaxnews
