The glycemic index (GI) reflects the relative ability of carbohydrates to raise blood glucose. We utilized a controlled feeding study to assess the impact of the dietary GI on β-cell function in adults with prediabetes (17F/18M, mean ± SEM: BMI 32.44 ± 0.94 kg/m2, age 54.2 ± 1.57 years). Following a 2 week Control diet (GI = 55-58), participants were randomized to either a 4 week low GI (LGI: GI < 35, n = 17) or high GI (HGI: GI > 70, n = 18) diet (55% of energy from carbohydrate/30% fat/15% protein). The data from 4 h meal tolerance tests (MTTs) underwent mathematical modeling to assess insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and β-cell function. Glucose concentrations during the MTT decreased on the LGI diet (p < 0.001) and trended to increase on the HGI diet (p = 0.14; LGI vs. HGI p < 0.001), with parallel changes in insulin and C-peptide concentrations. Total insulin secretion, adjusted for glucose and insulin sensitivity, increased on the LGI diet (p = 0.002), and trended lower on the HGI diet (p = 0.10; LGI vs. HGI p = 0.001). There was no significant diet effect on insulin sensitivity or other measures of β-cell function. Total insulin clearance increased on the LGI diet (p = 0.01; LGI vs. HGI p < 0.001). We conclude that short-term consumption of an LGI diet reduced glucose exposure and insulin secretion but had no impact on measures of β-cell function.
Keywords: adults; beta-cell function; glycemic index; insulin secretion; pathophysiology; prediabetes.