A large whey protein heavy breakfast cold help manage type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
Researchers in Israel wanted to investigate the effects the ingredient had on overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes.
A total of 48 overweight people with type 2 diabetes, who were aged around 59 years of age, took part in the research. They were randomly selected and given one of three diets which contained the same number of calories.
One group were mainly given whey protein shakes; the second group were given a heavy protein led breakfast which included things like eggs; and the third group ate a breakfast high in carbohydrates.
The diet last for 23 months and consisted of a large breakfast, medium-sized lunch and a small dinner. The only difference was the composition, amount and source of proteins within the breakfasts given to each group.
Lead study author Daniela Jakubowicz, professor of medicine at Tel Aviv University, said: “A high-calorie protein breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner is a proven successful strategy for weight loss, improved satiety and reduced glucose spikes throughout the day in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“However, the benefits of high protein content at breakfast also depend on the protein source and quality.
“Whey protein powder, which is a by-product of milk during cheese production, induced greater satiety and reduction of glucose spikes after meals compared to other protein sources, such as eggs, soy or tuna.”
The results showed that after 12 weeks the participants who had eaten mostly whey protein had lost the most amount of weight (7.6 kg (16.7 pounds), compared to those in the protein 6.1 kg (13.4 pounds) and carbohydrate 3.1 kg (6.8 pounds) groups.
The findings, which showed whey protein left participants less hungry with lower glucose spikes after meals, were unveiled at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Boston on Friday.
Jakubowicz added: “The whey protein diet significantly suppresses the hunger hormone ‘ghrelin’. A whey protein drink is easily prepared and provides the advantages of a high-protein breakfast on weight loss, reduction of hunger, glucose spikes and HbA1c.”
