Impact of High Protein and Low Carbohydrate Smoothie Drinks in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

We aimed to determine the effect of high protein and low carbohydrate smoothie drinks on glucose homeostasis, insulin and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic and obese individuals. We compared between a regular high protein or a high protein and low carbohydrate smoothie drinks with conventional diabetic enteral drinks (Glucerna). A crossover design study was done in 60 diabetic participants. Participants consumed 300 kilocalories of each drink at a time with one week wash out period between drinks and glucose response curves at baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 minutes were monitored and compared. The products were formulated to supply 1 kilocalorie/milliliter (kcal/ml). Dietary compositions in regular formulas (smoothie, SM) were 30-40% carbohydrate, 20-30% protein and 30-50% fat. While in smoothie with low carbohydrate formulas (SMLS), they were 25-35% carbohydrate, 25-30% protein and 35-55% fat vs. a control formula (Glucerna).

Inclusion criteria

• people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or use blood glucose-lowering drugs more than 3 months
• BMI > 25 kg/m^2
• HbA1c 6.5 - 8.5
• use stable level of blood glucose-lowering drugs and blood lipid-lowering drugs more than 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• people with chronic diseases or tube feeding or dysphagia i.e. pneumonia
• people with insulin injection or use GLP-1 analogues drugs or DPP-4 inhibitors drugs
• people with history of bariatric surgery, gastroparesis, malabsorption
• people with history of diseases that affect blood glucose/lipid control i.e. hyperthyroidism, endocrinology and kidney disorders
• use long-term immunosuppressants
• cancer patient