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The role of digestive factors in determining glycemic response in a multiethnic Asian population

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Abstract

Purpose

There are wide inter-individual differences in glycemic response (GR). We aimed to examine key digestive parameters that influence inter-individual and ethnic differences in GR in healthy Asian individuals.

Methods

Seventy-five healthy male subjects (25 Chinese, 25 Malays, and 25 Asian-Indians) were served equivalent available carbohydrate amounts (50 g) of jasmine rice (JR) and basmati rice (BR) on separate occasions. Postprandial blood glucose concentrations were measured at fasting (−5 and 0 min) and at 15- to 30-min interval over 180 min. Mastication parameters (number of chews per mouth and chewing time per mouthful), saliva α-amylase activity, AMY1 gene copy numbers and gastric emptying rate were measured to investigate their relationships with GR.

Results

The GR for jasmine rice was significantly higher than for basmati rice (P < 0.001). The median number of AMY1 gene copies was 6, with a range of 2–15. There was a significant positive relationship between AMY1 copy number and α-amylase activity (P = 0.002). There were no significant ethnic differences in GR. For both rice varieties, the number of chews per mouthful was positively associated with the GR (JR, P = 0.011; BR, P = 0.005), while chewing time per mouthful showed a negative association (JR, P = 0.039; BR, P = 0.016). Ethnicity, salivary α-amylase activity, particle size distribution, gastric emptying rate and AMY1 gene copy numbers were not significant contributors to GR (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Mastication parameters contribute significantly to GR. Eating slowly and having larger food boluses before swallowing (less chewing), both potentially modifiable, may be beneficial in glycemic control.

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Abbreviations

BR:

Basmati rice

ER:

Gastric emptying rate

GI:

Glycemic index

GR:

Glycemic response

IAUC:

Incremental area under curve

JR:

Jasmine rice

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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Acknowledgments

We extend our appreciation to Temasek Polytechnic interns Lee Yee Chin and Sarah Tan Yi Xuan for assisting in the logistic aspects of the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC), Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore

    Verena Ming Hui Tan, Ting Wu, Christiani Jeyakumar Henry & Yung Seng Lee

  2. Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Verena Ming Hui Tan, Delicia Shu Qin Ooi & Yung Seng Lee

  3. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore

    Jeevesh Kapur

  4. Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Yiong Huak Chan

  5. Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Christiani Jeyakumar Henry

  6. Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore

    Yung Seng Lee

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  1. Verena Ming Hui Tan
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  2. Delicia Shu Qin Ooi
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Correspondence to Verena Ming Hui Tan.

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Tan, V.M.H., Ooi, D.S., Kapur, J. et al. The role of digestive factors in determining glycemic response in a multiethnic Asian population. Eur J Nutr 55, 1573–1581 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-0976-0

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