It’s a small study, but it suggests the great potential of whey and, more broadly, the great potential for dietary disease management. Indeed, here, 1 pre-prepared dose containing a low dose of whey protein for a week, with the maintenance of a normal life and daily activities, allows to lower 0.6 mmol/L (or 0. 13 g/l) blood glucose in the intervention group.
1 pre-prepared dose 3 times a day for 7 days already brings benefits
The study: 18 people with type 2 diabetes consumed a small drink in the form of a 100 ml dose containing 15 grams of protein. Participants consumed 1 dose 10 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner for 7 days and continued their usual diabetes treatment. In order to compare the potential benefits of whey protein, the same participants also spent a week consuming a placebo, which contained no protein. Continuous glucose monitoring reveals that:
- glucose levels are much better controlled with the whey supplement taken before meals;
- on average, these diabetic participants benefit from an additional 2 hours per day of normal blood sugar compared to the week without protein;
- and their daily blood sugar levels are lowered by 0.6 mmol/L.
Lead author Dr Daniel West, a senior lecturer at Newcastle University, comments on these findings: “While previous studies have suggested the potential of this dietary intervention, this is the first real-life intervention study that confirms the effectiveness of this intervention on glycemic control.”
What mechanism? Researchers suggest that whey protein works in 2 ways, by slowing the rate at which food passes through the digestive system and by stimulating a number of important hormones that keep blood sugar levels from ‘going too high’.
Faced with the continuous increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, it is urgent to find alternatives to drugs to prevent and counter the disease. The option offered here was appreciated by participants who described it as “convenient and tasty”. The team plans to continue investigating alternative proteins, such as those from plant sources like peas, mushrooms and potatoes to further expand nutritional options for better blood sugar control.