Influence of consumption of a high-protein vs. high- carbohydrate meal on the physiological cortisol and psychological mood response in men and women

Abstract

Consumption of meals with different macronutrient contents, especially high in carbohydrates, may influence the stressinduced physiological and psychological response. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of consumption of a high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate meal on the physiological cortisol response and psychological mood response. Subjects (n = 38, 19m/19f, age = 25±9 yrs, BMI = 25.0±3.3 kg/m2) came to the university four times, fasted, for either condition: rest-protein, stress-protein, rest-carbohydrate, stress-carbohydrate (randomized cross-over design). Stress was induced by means of a psychological computer-test. The test-meal was either a high-protein meal (En% P/C/F 65/5/30) or a high-carbohydrate meal (En% P/C/F 6/64/30), both meals were matched for energy density (4 kJ/g) and daily energy requirements (30%). Per test-session salivary cortisol levels, appetite profile, mood state and level of anxiety were measured. High hunger, low satiety (81±16, 12±15 mmVAS) confirmed the fasted state. The stress condition was confirmed by increased feelings of depression, tension, anger, anxiety (AUC stress vs. rest p<0.02). Consumption of the high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate meal did not affect feelings of depression, tension, anger, anxiety. Cortisol levels did not differ between the four test-sessions in men and women (AUC nmol·min/L p>0.1). Consumption of the test-meals increased cortisol levels in men in all conditions (p<0.01), and in women in the rest-protein and stress-protein condition (p<0.03). Men showed higher cortisol levels than women (AUC nmol·min/L p<0.0001). Consumption of meals with different macronutrient contents, i.e. high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate, does not influence the physiological and psychological response differentially. Men show a higher meal-induced salivary cortisol response compared with women. © 2011 Lemmens et al.