The addition of mycoprotein to a mixed-meal impacts postprandial glucose kinetics without altering blood glucose concentrations: a randomised controlled trial

Mycoprotein is a high-fibre food previously shown to reduce postprandial glucose concentrations when ingested within a mixed-meal. We applied a dual stable isotope tracer approach to determine whether this is due to a reduced rate of appearance of glucose, in participants of ranging BMI. Twenty-four adults (F = 8, BMI 30 ± 6 kg·m−2) attended 2 trials in a double-blind, randomised, cross-over design. Participants ingested two energy and macronutrient matched milk-based drinks (enriched with 1000 mg [U-13C6] glucose in a subset of 12 participants), containing 50 g glucose and either 0 (CON) or 20 g (MYC) mycoprotein. A primed continuous intravenous infusion of D-[6,6-2H2] glucose determined plasma glucose kinetics over 6 h. Postprandial time-course, and AUC, of glucose and insulin concentration, rate of disappearance (RdT) and appearance of exogenous (RaEx), endogenous (EGP), and total (RaT) plasma glucose were assessed using two- and one-way ANOVA. Drink ingestion increased blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations (P < 0.05) and were comparable between conditions (P > 0.05). Both RaT and RdT were higher with MYC compared with CON over 6 h (mean 6 h glucose appearance and disappearance increased by 5 and 9%, respectively, P < 0.05). RaEx was not affected by MYC ingestion over 6 h (P > 0.05). The mean contribution of EGP to total glucose appearance was 15% greater with MYC, with a trend towards significance (P = 0.05). There was no relationship between BMI and the response to MYC ingestion for any of the variables (P < 0.05). The ingestion of mycoprotein within a mixed-meal impacted postprandial glucose kinetics, but not blood glucose or serum insulin concentrations, in individuals of ranging BMI. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04084639 and can be accessed at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04084639 .