Snack selection influences glucose metabolism, antioxidant capacity and cholesterol in healthy overweight adults: A randomized parallel arm trial.

2019-05
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) 65
- Zachary S Clayton
- Elizabeth Fusco
- Lisa Schreiber
- Jennifer N Carpenter
- Shirin Hooshmand
- Mee Young Hong
- Mark Kern

PubMed: 30952505
DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2019.03.002

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: overweight adults
Methods: 8-weeks of twice-daily snacking of macronutrient-matched 100kcal servings of dried plums or refined carbohydrate-rich snack (low-fat muffins)
Blinding: Open-label
Duration: 8 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Including carbohydrate/fructose-rich foods (predominantly fruit) in the diets of overweight individuals can improve chronic disease risk factors. We hypothesized dried plums (DP) would improve nutrient consumption, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid and adipokine profiles, and would decrease adiposity and inflammation. To test this, we studied the effects of 8-weeks of twice-daily snacking of macronutrient-matched 100kcal servings of DP or refined carbohydrate-rich snack (low-fat muffins: LFM) on daily energy and nutrient consumption, and chronic disease risk factors in overweight adults. Body weight/composition, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, c-peptide, lipids, TAC, adipokines and inflammation were measured at baseline and throughout the study. Postprandial glucose and insulin were assessed following assigned test foods at baseline and 8-weeks. Repeated measures ANOVAs were undertaken to examine group and time differences. Post-hoc independent and paired samples t-tests were conducted where necessary. DP increased (P<.05) overall intake of dietary fiber and potassium, and TAC, from baseline to 8-weeks. Baseline postprandial glycemia tended (P=.09) to be lower with DP versus LFM, while both groups had a decreased response after 8-weeks. Postprandial insulinemia was lower (P<.05) for DP at both time-points. No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) increased (P<.05) throughout the trial following LFM. Overall, DP lessened postprandial insulinemia, improved nutrient consumption and plasma TAC, and maintained plasma LDL-C compared to a macronutrient-matched refined carbohydrate snack, which could decrease chronic disease risk.

Research Insights

prune→Improved Insulin Levels
Postprandial insulinemia was lower (P<.05) for DP at both time-points
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Increased Adiponectin Levels
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Increased Dietary Fiber Intake
DP increased (P<.05) overall intake of dietary fiber and potassium, and TAC
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Increased High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Increased Potassium Level
DP increased (P<.05) overall intake of dietary fiber and potassium, and TAC
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Increased Total Serum Antioxidant Capacity
DP increased (P<.05) overall intake of dietary fiber and potassium, and TAC
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Adipokine Level
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice daily
prune→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Blood Pressure
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Body Fat
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Body Weight
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice daily
prune→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Inflammation
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Insulin Levels
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) increased (P<.05) throughout the trial following LFM
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) increased (P<.05) throughout the trial following LFM.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice daily
prune→Reduced Postprandial Glycemia
Baseline postprandial glycemia tended (P=.09) to be lower with DP versus LFM
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice daily
prune→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily
prune→Reduced Waist Circumference
No differences in body weight/composition, blood pressure, or fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, inflammation or adipokines were detected
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
100 kcal servings twice-daily