Glycemic Response to Different Food Combinations

Low pH foods can attenuate the glycemic response to starch-rich foods. It has been demonstrated that lemon juice, due to its low pH (pH≈2.3) inhibited key digestive enzymes thereby interrupting gastric digestion of starch in vitro. This effect can significantly reduce the glycemic response in humans. In particular, adding lemon juice to a starch rich meal reduced the mean blood glucose concentration peak by 30%.

Considering the panoply of food options available, it is likely that other combinations have similar effects but no work has been conducted to develop a consolidated knowledge base to exploit this strategy. GlucoMatchMaker will go beyond the state-of-the art by addressing this knowledge gap. The main goal is to develop and test the real-life impact of pH-based food combination strategies on glycemic responses.

Inclusion criteria

• Subject has given written informed consent
• Subject is available to participate in the study sessions on the proposed dates.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject has an allergy or intolerance to any food and/or ingredient in the study meals
• Body mass index ≤ 18.5 kg/m2 or ≥ 30.0 kg/m2.
• Diagnosed mouth, throat or active gastrointestinal pathology that may affect normal ingestion and digestion of food.
• History of pancreatic disease
• Subject is immunocompromised (HIV positive, transplant patient, on antirejection medications, on a steroid for >30 days, or chemotherapy or radiotherapy within the last year).
• Subject has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes.
• Subject has a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse at the time of enrolment.
• Subject is currently taking medication that can effect glucose metabolism and/or normal gastrointestinal function.
• Subject is currently participating in another study, or plans to participate in another study during the study period.
• Women of child-bearing potential who do not use an acceptable method of contraception.
• Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women.