A new study by university researchers discovered that eating vegetables and protein before carbohydrates can affect blood sugar levels. They discovered that the food order lowers glucose and insulin levels in obese people with type 2 diabetes.
The research was conducted by the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC). It was published in the June 23 issue of the journal Diabetes Care.
The study included well-balanced meals. All of the 11 participants were obese people with type 2 diabetes who take a glucose-lowering drug, according to University Herald
They ate a special meal on different days, in one-week intervals. Meals included carbohydrates (orange juice and bread), protein (chicken breast), vegetables (tomato salad and broccoli) and fat (salad dressing and butter).
Researchers required the volunteers to eat their carbohydrates first; and then protein, veggies, and fat 15 minutes later. They checked their glucose levels afterwards.
One week later the scientists repeated the procedure. However, this time they swapped the order of the carbs and other foods.
When vegetables and protein were eaten before starchy carbs, glucose levels dropped up to 37 percent compared to the reverse food order, according to Cornell Chronicle. Insulin was also much lower.
The study's finding could have a major impact on the diet advice physicians give diabetic patients. This would be related to how much carbs to eat daily, but also the right order they should be consumed during a meal.
Dr. Louis Aronne, a WCMC professor, was the study's senior author. He noted that although diet (along with medicine) is important to lower blood sugar levels for diabetes sufferers, they often have problems changing their eating habits.
While carbohydrates cause blood sugar spikes, it is difficult for diabetics to kick the habit. The Cornell study shows an alternative method to lower glucose and insulin.
Type-2 diabetes patients usually use a finger prick test to check their glucose levels during the day. A high surge could result in heart disease or hardening of the arteries. It can even cause death.
Aronne admitted that follow-up studies are needed. They would focus on finding easy ways that diabetes patients can lower their blood sugar levels and insulin intake during the day.