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Food and health

Metabolic response to amylose-rich wheat-based rusks in overweight individuals

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 72, pages 904–912 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives

The amylose-amylopectin ratio influences starch properties. A higher amylose content is associated with slower starch digestion thus reducing the postprandial plasma glucose response and improving the overall postprandial metabolism. So far, limited evidence is available on the metabolic effect of wheat-based foods rich in amylose. This randomised controlled study investigated the acute metabolic effects of amylose-rich wheat-based rusks in overweight subjects focusing on potential mechanisms.

Subjects/methods

Ten overweight subjects consumed in random order two test meals differing only in the carbohydrate source: rusks prepared with amylose-rich wheat flour (ARR) or conventional wheat flour (control). Blood samples were taken at fasting and over 4 h after the meal. Satiety and intestinal fermentation were evaluated by VAS and H2-breath test, respectively.

Results

ARR reduced plasma glucose response during the first two hours after the meal and the desire to eat, and increased breath hydrogen concentration at 4 h (p < 0.05 for all). Moreover, according to computational models, the ARR slightly reduced intestinal glucose absorption in the first hour after the meal and increased the overall postprandial insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Rusks made with amylose-rich flour could be useful for improving postprandial glucose metabolism and reduce the desire to eat, thus possibly contributing to the prevention and treatment of overweight/obesity, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Barilla for manufacturing test products, and Dr Angela Giacco for skilful dietary assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, “Federico II” University, Naples, Italy

    Claudia Vetrani, Marilena Vitale, Ettore Griffo, Giuseppina Costabile, Paola Cipriano, Angela A. Rivellese & Gabriele Riccardi

  2. Department of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy

    Francesco Sestili, Ermelinda Botticella & Domenico Lafiandra

  3. CNR-Institute of Food Science, Avellino, Italy

    Rosalba Giacco

  4. Metabolic Unit, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Research Council, Padua, Italy

    Andrea Tura & Giovanni Pacini

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  1. Claudia Vetrani
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Correspondence to Gabriele Riccardi.

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Vetrani, C., Sestili, F., Vitale, M. et al. Metabolic response to amylose-rich wheat-based rusks in overweight individuals. Eur J Clin Nutr 72, 904–912 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0136-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0136-8

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