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Influence of the glycaemic index of an evening meal on substrate oxidation following breakfast and during exercise the next day in healthy women

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 608–616 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate whether the ‘overnight second-meal effect’ results in altered substrate oxidation during the postprandial period following breakfast and subsequent sub-maximal exercise in women.

Subjects/Methods:

Seven recreationally active women were recruited for the study. In each trial, participants were provided with their evening meal on day 1, which was composed of either high glycaemic index (HGI) or low glycaemic index (LGI) carbohydrates (CHO). On day 2, participants were provided with a standard HGI breakfast and then performed a 60 min run at 65% V̇O2 max 3 h later.

Results:

The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) for plasma glucose concentrations during the postprandial period following breakfast was greater in the HGI trial compared to the LGI trial (P<0.01). Similarly, the IAUC for serum insulin concentrations was greater in the HGI trial than the LGI trial (P<0.05). No differences in plasma free-fatty acids (FFA) or plasma glycerol concentrations were found between trials during the postprandial period. During subsequent exercise, there were no significant differences in substrate metabolism.

Conclusion:

The glycaemic index of an evening meal does not alter substrate oxidation at rest following breakfast or during subsequent submaximal exercise in women. This study provides further evidence for the overnight second-meal effect on glycaemic responses following a LGI mixed evening meal.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the women who participated in this study. EJS produced the original study design, performed the laboratory investigations and biochemical analysis, undertook the statistical data analysis, and wrote the first draft of the article. MLN, LH and OW assisted with the laboratory investigations and biochemical analysis. CW supervised the data collection, contributed to the data interpretation and revised the article. None of the authors had any conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Sports Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    E Stevenson

  2. Sport and Exercise Nutrition Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    C Williams & M Nute

  3. Carnegie Faculty of Education, Leeds Metropolitan University Headingley Campus, Leeds, UK

    L Humphrey

  4. School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

    O Witard

Authors
  1. E Stevenson
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  2. C Williams
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  3. M Nute
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  4. L Humphrey
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  5. O Witard
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Correspondence to E Stevenson.

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Stevenson, E., Williams, C., Nute, M. et al. Influence of the glycaemic index of an evening meal on substrate oxidation following breakfast and during exercise the next day in healthy women. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 608–616 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602759

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