This study has just been presented at The Endocrine Society’s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. June 11, 2009.
Moderately restricting the intake of carbohydrates, without calorie restrictions and weight loss, can help increase a sense of fullness.
Barbara Gower, PhD, a professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham and her co-workers investigated whether a modest reduction in dietary carbohydrates, or "carbs" would improve feelings of fullness batter than a carbohydrate level comparable to that of a typical U.S. diet.
The study group had their carbohydrates lowered by 12 %. A typical American diet has 55% of their daily calories coming from carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fiber. The moderate carbohydrate dieters had an increased fat consumption- 39% versus 27 % of calories. This adjustment allowed both groups to consume the same amounts of proteins – 18% of their calories. This was done because proteins can influence both satiety (fullness) and insulin secretion.
14 adults were given the control diet and 16 adults were given the moderately reduced carbohydrate diet for a month. All participants were monitored to maintain their original weight. After 4 weeks adjustment to their diet they were given a test meal. Blood chemistry was analyzed for levels of insulin and blood sugar both before and after their meal.
This study showed that even in the absence of weight loss, a modest reduction in dietary carbohydrates was sufficient to lower insulin and stabilize blood sugar. Ratings of fullness were higher in the group on the moderate-carb diet before eating the test meal and stayed higher for a longer time after the meal, compared with those eating the standard diet.
Gower said, "Over the long run a sustained modest reduction in carbohydrate intake may help to reduce energy consumption and facilitate weight loss".
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