A large breakfast containing whey protein may help manage type 2 diabetes, new research from Tel Aviv University reports. The study results were presented April 1 at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, in Boston.
A high-calorie protein breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner is a proven successful strategy for weight loss, improved satiety and reduced glucose spikes throughout the day in people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
However, the benefits of high protein content at breakfast also depend on the protein source and quality. In this study, whey protein powder, a milk byproduct from cheese production, induced greater satiety and reduction of glucose spikes after meals compared to other protein sources, such as eggs, soy or tuna.
The researchers investigated whether in overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes, whey protein for breakfast is more effective than other proteins for weight loss, satiety and reduction of blood sugar spikes and HbA1C (glycated hemoglobin) levels. (HbA1C measures how much glucose is stuck to the hemoglobin in your blood. This tells you what your average blood glucose for the past three months.)
The study team randomly assigned 48 overweight and obese participants with type 2 diabetes who were, on average, 59 years of age, to one of three diets that contained the same number of calories.
For 23 months, all participants ate a large breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner, but the breakfast composition, amount and source of proteins differed among the groups.
Whey protein breakfast linked to greater weight loss, hunger suppression
One group ate breakfast containing mostly whey protein such as whey protein shakes, the second group ate breakfast containing other proteins including eggs, soy and tuna, and the third ate breakfast high in carbohydrates or starch.
After 12 weeks, the group on whey protein lost the most weight: 7.6 kg (16.7 pounds), compared to 6.1 kg (13.4 pounds) for those on the other proteins, and 3.1 kg (6.8 pounds) for those in the carbohydrate group.
Whey protein diet participants were more satiated and less hungry throughout the day, with lower glucose spikes after meals compared to the other two diets, and their HbA1C also decreased more than with the other two diets.
The whey protein diet suppressed the hunger hormone ghrelin. A whey protein drink is easily prepared and provides the advantages of a high-protein breakfast on weight loss, reduction of hunger, glucose spikes and HbA1c, said the lead researcher.
Source: The Endocrine Society
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