High-viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose blunts postprandial glucose and insulin responses

Abstract

OBJECTIVE - High-viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HV-HPMC) is a modified cellulose fiber that produces a viscous gel in the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical trials demonstrate that consumption of HV-HPMC significantly lowers cholesterol, but limited information has been available on the influence of HV-HPMC on postprandial insulin and glucose responses. The objective of this investigation was to assess the influence of HV-HPMC on postprandial glucose and insulin responses in overweight and obese men and women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Participants were 31 overweight or obese men and women without diabetes who underwent three breakfast meal tests in random order, separated by ≥72 h. Test meals containing 75 g carbohydrate plus 4 or 8 g HV-HPMC or control meals containing 8 g cellulose were delivered in a double-blind fashion. RESULTS - Peak glucose was significantly lower (P < 0.001) after both HV-HPMC-containing meals (7.4 mmol/l [4 g] and 7.4 mmol/l [8 g]) compared with the control meal (8.6 mmol/l). Peak insulin concentrations and the incremental areas for glucose and insulin from 0 to 120 min were also significantly reduced after both HV-HPMC doses versus control (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS - These findings indicate that HV-HPMC consumption reduces postprandial glucose and insulin excursions, which may favorably alter risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. © 2007 by the American Diabetes Association.