Glycaemic Responses to Carbohydrate-rich Meals (GlyCarb)

Overview

Carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, biscuits and other snacks are a major component of the human diet. The effect of different carbohydrate-rich foods on blood sugar (glucose) levels after a meal varies between foods. This is relevant to health because studies have shown that regular intake of carbohydrate foods that cause large increases in blood glucose levels after ingestion can be detrimental to metabolic health. The aim of the GlyCarb study is to investigate how food structure influences postprandial glycaemic responses to carbohydrate foods. This will be achieved through a series of acute postprandial studies (up to 5 studies), wherein healthy participants within each postprandial study consume a pair of carbohydrate-rich test meals while wearing a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM). Each postprandial study will use the same GlyCarb Remote standard protocol, where a randomised cross-over design is used to measure the glycaemic response to two carbohydrate-rich test meals, one "test" and one "control". Both meals will be matched by carbohydrate content, contain similar ingredients and have a similar physical appearance, but will differ in one key food property (e.g., altered food structure) to test its effect on postprandial glycaemia. In each postprandial study, habitual dietary intake and body composition will be captured at baseline as part of the participant characterisation. Participants will consume two different carbohydrate-rich test meals twice, on separate occasions, in a randomly allocated order over a 10 to 14-day period of continuous glucose monitoring. Data from the continuous glucose monitors will be used to assess the postprandial glycaemic response to each carbohydrate food. The participants will be required to complete brief questionnaires designed to evaluate differences in palatability (taste, texture, portion size) and satiety amongst test meals. Study participant feedback will be requested at the end of the study and used to assess and improve future study procedures. The GlyCarb study will enable new understanding of how food properties influence glycaemic responses to different types of carbohydrate foods. Ultimately, the findings will inform the rational design or reformulation of food products and diets to support a healthy glucose metabolism.

The overarching aim of this project is to investigate a wide range of carbohydrate rich test meals (from 'off the shelf' commercially available products, through to enriched, restructured and re-formulated food products) on postprandial glycaemic response in normo-glycaemic individuals. The 'remote' study protocol has been designed to maintain social distancing and thereby reduce risk of COVID19 transmission between participants and researchers during the ongoing outbreak. It also makes excellent use of continuous glucose monitoring devices, which enable continuous recording of participant body sugar levels in 'free-living' conditions. At no point will the participant be required to attend a clinical research facility. Support from the study team to participants will be provided through virtual appointments. The study population will be healthy participants. Participants will also need to have access to a smart phone to be used in conjunction with the CGM as well as for virtual study appointments (video call) and to complete online forms. The precise test meals will vary from study to study, and will always need to meet a set standard with regard to microbiological safety, traceability and nutrient composition. As an extra precaution, participants with ANY food allergy will not be able to take part in the study. The meals will be well characterised and details of nutrient composition, ingredients, allergens etc. will be provided to participants prior to consent. Informed consent - to ensure participants can make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to take part on the trial they will be provided with a study specific PIS and invited to participate in an informal discussion about the study. Consent will be obtained by a member of staff who is GCP trained and experienced in conducting human intervention trials. In line with the 'remote' nature of the study, participants and study team members will be video and audio recorded during the consent procedure, with their permission. Hard copies of the consent form will also be initialled and signed by the participant and countersigned by the study team as written informed consent. Risks/Burdens - (i) At the eligibility assessment a small blood sample is collected. Participants may feel a little discomfort on initial insertion of the needle or bruising at the site of venepuncture. Similarly, there may be some discomfort during finger prick testing. (ii) The CGM sensor may be secured by an adhesive 'plaster' which could cause irritation. Should this occur the CGM could be secured in place with an elastic support bandage such as tubigrip or similar. iii) This study involves periods of fasting. Participants will be advised to drink water during the fasting period. All study sessions will be scheduled for the morning time to reduce the length of fast. (iv) As part of the eligibility assessment it is possible that some test results are returned as abnormal. Abnormal blood and urine test results are reviewed by our medical doctor who advises whether inclusion, re-screen or exclusion is appropriate. In addition, copies of all test results (whether abnormal or not) will be sent to the participants GP. Participants will complete a Food Frequency Questionnaire to capture the habitual diet as a baseline characteristic as well as measure fat and muscle mass using a smart scale. Data protection and confidentiality - Participants will be assigned a unique code and a Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB)-based email which will be used on all samples/data arising from a study. Paper documents containing identifiable information (e.g. consent forms) and coded information will be kept in locked cabinets at the QIB. The file linking the code with the participant will be kept separately. All documents will only be accessible to the members of the study team. All electronic data will be stored on a password protected shared file at the QIB and access will be limited to members of the study team.