The aim of the present pilot randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of the following: 1)-rusk enriched with arabinoxylans (r-rich), 2)-rusk not enriched (r-standard) on blood glucose, insulin values, glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) and appetite scores in 10 healthy volunteers.
This is a double-blind, randomized crossover trial. A rusk product enriched with arabinoxylan extracted from threshing residues, hereafter referred to as r-rich, was developed to evaluate its effects on postprandial metabolic responses and satiety compared with the standard product, referred to as r-standard. Ten healthy adult Caucasian non-smoker volunteers were enrolled starting from October 2025. Participants received both products in a computer-generated randomized sequence, with a washout period of at least 72 hours between test sessions. On each test day, after an overnight fast, participants underwent baseline blood sample collection and anthropometric measurements, including body weight and height. They then consumed 100 g of the assigned product within 20 minutes while seated. Blood samples were collected at 20, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after product consumption.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
10
Volunteers consumed 100 grams of rusk enriched with fiber (JAX Plus® (Heallo srl, Milano, Italy), a soluble fiber with Arabinoxylans from wheat and barley
Volunteers consumed 100 grams of standard rusk
University of Turin
Torino, Italy, Italy
Change in circulating blood glucose concentration (metabolic variables) [mg/dL]
Evaluation of changes in glucose responses after the consumption of r-rich when compared to r-standard. The unit of measure for glucose concentration is milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Time frame: 20, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes after the consumption of each food.
Change in circulating serum insulin levels (metabolic variables) [mIU/ml]
Evaluation of changes in insulin responses after the consumption of r-rich when compared to r-standard. The unit of measure for insulin is milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml).
Time frame: 20, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after the consumption of each food.
Change in circulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentration [pg/ml]
Evaluation of changes in GLP-1 responses after the consumption of r-rich when compared to r-standard. The unit of measure for GLP-1 is picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Time frame: 20, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after consumption of each food.
Postprandial Subjective Satiety Perception
Satiety perception was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0-100 mm), where 0 = "not satiated at all" and 100 = "extremely satiated". Higher scores indicate greater satiety.
Time frame: 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes post-consumption.
Postprandial Hunger
Hunger perception was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0-100 mm), where 0 = "not hungry at all" and 100 = "extremely hungry". Higher scores indicate greater hunger.
Time frame: 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes post-consumption.
Postprandial Gastric Fullness
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Gastric fullness perception was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0-100 mm), where 0 = "not full at all" and 100 = "extremely full". Higher scores indicate greater fullness.
Time frame: 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes post-consumption.
Prospective Food Consumption
Prospective food consumption was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; 0-100 mm), where 0 = "no desire to eat at all" and 100 = "extreme desire to eat". Higher scores indicate greater desire for food intake.
Time frame: 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes post-consumption.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms Evaluation
Self-reported evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms potentially related to snack consumption, assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The GSRS uses a 10-point Likert scale (1 = no symptoms, 10 = very severe symptoms). Higher scores indicate more severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
Time frame: Within 24 hours after rusk intake.