A comparison of the glycaemic and insulinaemic effects of an Asian and a European meal

The glycaemic and insulinaemic effects of an Asian and a European meal were compared. The Asian meal contained 1,439 kcal (14% protein, 45% carbohydrate, 41% fat, 28g dietary fibre), and the European meal 1,370 kcal (18% protein, 25% carbohydrate, 57% fat, 11g dietary fibre). Fifteen normal voiunteers were tested with each meal after an overnight fast, and on consecutive days in random order. There were no differences at fasting or after one hour between either meal. Two hours after the Asian meal, subjects had a higher degree of glycaemia, mean (SE) 5.29 (0.35) vs 4.32 (0.09) mmoI/I (p<0.02) and a higher degree of insulinaemia, mean (SE) 28.17 (6.86)vs 8.06 (1.54) mU/I (p<0.02). These effects were maintained at three hours: plasma glucose 5.12 (0.25) vs 9.84 (2.46) mU/I (p<0.01). The fasting glucose and insulin levels following the Asian meal had not been achieved at three hours so the study was repeated using 11 normal volunteers with a longer follow-up time of six hours. Only then did the glucose values return to fasting levels, although insulin levels remained slightly elevated. These preliminary results suggest the need for more detailed long-term observations on the metabolic effects of culturally different meals.