A new study from UBC Okanagan reveals that a simple change in the first meal of the day could significantly help people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) manage their blood sugar levels.
This research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests shifting from a traditional low-fat breakfast to a meal lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein and fat.
The Challenge of Managing Blood Sugar Spikes
For individuals living with T2D, controlling blood sugar, especially after meals, is a constant challenge. Rapid increases in blood glucose levels post-eating can lead to long-term complications, including inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
The study indicates that a low-carb meal in the morning can help control blood sugar levels throughout the day, addressing one of the critical concerns in T2D management.
The Benefits of a Low-Carb Breakfast
While low-carb diets are known to be effective for glucose control, maintaining such a diet can be tough over time. The study focused on modifying just the breakfast to be low-carb, examining how this change affects adherence to the diet and blood sugar levels.
Study Design and Results
The 12-week study involved 121 participants, split into two groups. The first group consumed a low-carb breakfast consisting of 8g of carbohydrates, 25g of protein, and 37g of fat.
The second group had a traditional low-fat, high-carb breakfast with about 56g of carbohydrates, 20g of protein, and 15g of fat. Both breakfasts were 450 calories.
Participants were monitored using continuous glucose monitoring devices, and A1C blood tests were conducted at the beginning and end of the study. Notably, there were no significant differences in weight, BMI, or waist circumference between the groups.
However, the low-carb group showed a reduction in blood sugar levels, and some participants were able to reduce their glucose-lowering medication.
This group also experienced less variability in blood sugar levels, suggesting that a low-carb breakfast could help stabilize blood sugars throughout the day.
Additionally, participants in the low-carb group reported consuming fewer calories and carbohydrates for the rest of the day, indicating that a protein and fat-rich breakfast might influence overall daily eating habits.
A Feasible Approach to Diabetes Management
Dr. Oliveira, the study’s lead, emphasizes that the goal is not a complete diet change but a minor adjustment in the carbohydrate content of breakfast. This approach could significantly boost adherence while still yielding substantial benefits.
A low-carb breakfast aligns better with how individuals with T2D metabolize glucose during the day. It also holds promise for those who have trouble managing their glucose levels in the morning.
The study underlines the potential of a practical dietary change in managing diabetes effectively.
For those interested in further diabetes-related information, research on the benefits of green tea and the widely used diabetes drug metformin is recommended, as well as studies on blueberries in metabolic syndrome and common diabetes drugs linked to increased heart attack risk.
This study’s publication in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition marks a significant step in diabetes management strategies.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Widely prescribed drug may increase sudden cardiac arrest risk in people with diabetes and findings of These common drugs linked to sudden cardiac arrest in people with type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that low calorie diets may help reverse diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
