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Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbohydrates".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 August 2021) | Viewed by 40657

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Nutritional Epidemiology Program, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Interests: dietary fiber; whole grains; sugars; dietary partterns; diabetes; cardiometabolic risk; obesity; nutrigenomics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Incorporating carbohydrates into our diet can impact health in both a positive and negative manner. All carbohydrates are not created equally, and the metabolic consequences of a high-carbohydrate diet can vary depending on the quality of the carbohydrates consumed. For instance, replacing refined grains with whole grains in the diet is associated with positive health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin. Furthermore, understanding how factors such as underlying genetic variation and gut microbiota composition may modify diet–disease risk can help in effectively tailoring dietary advice to individual needs. Observational evidence has found that higher whole-grain and/or cereal fiber intake is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet the mechanism is not well defined. Diets low in fiber are pervasive around the globe, and the inclusion of isolated or synthetic fibers into food products or supplements is one approach to increasing fiber intake. Fibers have different physiological characteristics and thereby confer different health benefits. Randomized controlled trials to demonstrate clinically meaningful health benefits for novel dietary fibers are needed.

In this Special Issue, we are interested in reporting novel evidence linking dietary carbohydrates to health. Please submit original research or reviews on the following topics:

- Effects of carbohydrate quality on gut microbiota composition and metabolic risk;

- Understanding the effect of genetic variation on carbohydrate metabolism and disease risk;

- Effect of isolated fiber supplementation to manipulate the gut microbiota;

- Novel dietary fibers and physiological health outcomes;

- Dietary substitution models (replacement of refined with whole grains.

Dr. Nicola McKeown
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Carbohydrate
  • Dietary fiber
  • Sugar
  • Grains
  • Gut microbiota
  • Cardiometabolic health

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5686 KiB  
Article
Prebiotic Inulin Supplementation and Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity in adults at Elevated Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
by Cassie M. Mitchell, Brenda M. Davy, Monica A. Ponder, Ryan P. McMillan, Michael D. Hughes, Matthew W. Hulver, Andrew P. Neilson and Kevin P. Davy
Nutrients 2021, 13(9), 3235; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093235 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4856
Abstract
Prediabetes affects 84.1 million adults, and many will progress to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective of this proof-of-concept trial was to determine the efficacy of inulin supplementation to improve glucose metabolism and reduce T2D risk. Adults (n = 24; BMI: 31.3 [...] Read more.
Prediabetes affects 84.1 million adults, and many will progress to type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective of this proof-of-concept trial was to determine the efficacy of inulin supplementation to improve glucose metabolism and reduce T2D risk. Adults (n = 24; BMI: 31.3 ± 2.9 kg/m2; age: 54.4 ± 8.3 years) at risk for T2D were enrolled in this controlled feeding trial and consumed either inulin (10 g/day) or placebo (maltodextrin, 10 g/day) for six weeks. Assessments included peripheral insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, and insulin, HOMA-IR, in vivo skeletal muscle substrate preference, Bifidobacteria copy number, intestinal permeability, and endotoxin concentrations. Participant retention was 92%. There were no baseline group differences except for fasting insulin (p = 0.003). The magnitude of reduction in fasting insulin concentrations with inulin (p = 0.003, inulin = Δ-2.9, placebo = Δ2.3) was attenuated after adjustment for baseline concentrations (p = 0.04). After adjusting for baseline values, reduction in HOMA-IR with inulin (inulin = Δ-0.40, placebo=Δ0.27; p = 0.004) remained significant. Bifidobacteria 16s increased (p = 0.04; inulin = Δ3.1e9, placebo = Δ-8.9e8) with inulin supplementation. Despite increases in gut Bifidobacteria, inulin supplementation did not improve peripheral insulin sensitivity. These findings question the need for larger investigations of inulin and insulin sensitivity in this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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14 pages, 2340 KiB  
Article
Habitual Dietary Intake Affects the Altered Pattern of Gut Microbiome by Acarbose in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
by Fumie Takewaki, Hanako Nakajima, Daiki Takewaki, Yoshitaka Hashimoto, Saori Majima, Hiroshi Okada, Takafumi Senmaru, Emi Ushigome, Masahide Hamaguchi, Masahiro Yamazaki, Yoshiki Tanaka, Shunji Nakajima, Hiroshi Ohno and Michiaki Fukui
Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062107 - 19 Jun 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3832
Abstract
The aim of this research was to reveal the characteristics of gut microbiome altered by acarbose intervention in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its possible association with habitual dietary intake. Eighteen patients with T2D were administered acarbose for four weeks. [...] Read more.
The aim of this research was to reveal the characteristics of gut microbiome altered by acarbose intervention in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its possible association with habitual dietary intake. Eighteen patients with T2D were administered acarbose for four weeks. The abundances of two major phyla, namely Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, were reciprocally changed accompanied by the acarbose intervention. There were also significant changes in the abundances of ten genera, including the greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, Eubacterium, and Lactobacillus and the lower abundance of Bacteroides in the group after the intervention than that before the intervention. Hierarchical clustering of habitual dietary intake was performed based on the pattern of changes in the gut microbiota and were classified into distinct three clusters. Cluster I consisted of sucrose, cluster II mainly included fat intake, and cluster III mainly included carbohydrate intake. Moreover, the amount of change in Faecalibacterium was positively correlated with the intake of rice, but negatively correlated with the intake of bread. The intake of potato was negatively correlated with the amount of change in Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum. Acarbose altered the composition of gut microbiome in Japanese patients with T2D, which might be linked to the habitual dietary intake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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18 pages, 3758 KiB  
Article
Effect of Physicochemical Properties of Carboxymethyl Cellulose on Diffusion of Glucose
by Elisabeth Miehle, Stephanie Bader-Mittermaier, Ute Schweiggert-Weisz, Hans Hauner and Peter Eisner
Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051398 - 21 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2706
Abstract
Soluble dietary fibers (SDF) are known to reduce the post-prandial plasma glucose levels. However, the detailed mechanisms of this reduced glucose release in the human gut still remain unclear. The aim of our study was to systematically investigate the effect of different types [...] Read more.
Soluble dietary fibers (SDF) are known to reduce the post-prandial plasma glucose levels. However, the detailed mechanisms of this reduced glucose release in the human gut still remain unclear. The aim of our study was to systematically investigate the effect of different types of SDF on glucose release in an in vitro model as a prerequisite for the selection of fibers suitable for application in humans. Three types of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used to investigate the correlations between fiber concentration, molecular weight (MW), and viscosity on diffusion of glucose using a side-by-side system. CMC solutions below the coil overlap (c*) influenced the glucose diffusivity only marginally, whereas at concentrations above c* the diffusion of glucose was significantly decreased. Solutions of lower MW exhibited a lower viscosity with lower glucose diffusion compared to solutions with higher MW CMC, attributed to the higher density of the solutions. All CMC solutions showed a systematic positive deviation from Stokes-Einstein behavior indicating a greater rise in viscosity than reduction in diffusion. Therefore, our results pave the way for a new approach for assessing glucose diffusion in solutions comprising dietary fibers and may contribute to further elucidating the mechanisms of post-prandial plasma glucose level reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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15 pages, 570 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Indices of Carbohydrate Quality and Food Sources of Dietary Fiber on Longitudinal Changes in Waist Circumference in the Framingham Offspring Cohort
by Caleigh M. Sawicki, Alice H. Lichtenstein, Gail T. Rogers, Paul F. Jacques, Jiantao Ma, Edward Saltzman and Nicola M. McKeown
Nutrients 2021, 13(3), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030997 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3598
Abstract
The long-term impact of carbohydrate quality on abdominal weight gain is not fully understood. We aimed to examine the prospective relation of a carbohydrate quality index (CQI; defined by four criteria: dietary fiber, glycemic index, whole grain-to-total grain ratio, and solid-to-total carbohydrate ratio), [...] Read more.
The long-term impact of carbohydrate quality on abdominal weight gain is not fully understood. We aimed to examine the prospective relation of a carbohydrate quality index (CQI; defined by four criteria: dietary fiber, glycemic index, whole grain-to-total grain ratio, and solid-to-total carbohydrate ratio), total, cereal grain, vegetable, and fruit fiber, carbohydrate-to-total fiber ratio, and carbohydrate-to-cereal fiber ratio with changes in waist circumference (WC). Subjects were middle-aged to older, mostly white, participants in the Framingham Offspring cohort (n = 3101 subjects), with mean baseline age 54.9 ± 0.2 years (mean ± SE) and body mass index (BMI) 27.2 ± 0.1 kg/m2. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), health, and lifestyle data were collected approximately every four years over a median total follow-up of 18 years. Repeated measure mixed models were used to estimate adjusted mean change in WC per four-year interval across quartiles of carbohydrate variables. In the most adjusted model, a higher CQI was marginally associated with a smaller increase in WC (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 cm in highest vs. lowest quartile, p-trend = 0.04). Higher ratios of carbohydrate-to-fiber and carbohydrate-to-cereal fiber were associated with greater increases in WC per four-year interval (2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001, and 2.5 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 cm in highest versus lowest categories, p-trend = 0.007, respectively); whereas higher intake of total fiber (1.8 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001), cereal fiber (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend = 0.001), and fruit fiber (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001) were associated with smaller increases in WC compared to lower intakes. There was a significant interaction between total fiber and total carbohydrate (as % of total energy intake). After stratification, the association between fiber intake and change in WC was not maintained in the context of a high carbohydrate diet. Better carbohydrate quality, primarily higher fiber intake and lower carbohydrate-to-fiber ratios, may help attenuate increases in abdominal adiposity over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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14 pages, 784 KiB  
Article
Acacia Gum Is Well Tolerated While Increasing Satiety and Lowering Peak Blood Glucose Response in Healthy Human Subjects
by Riley Larson, Courtney Nelson, Renee Korczak, Holly Willis, Jennifer Erickson, Qi Wang and Joanne Slavin
Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020618 - 14 Feb 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5345
Abstract
Acacia gum (AG) is a non-viscous soluble fiber that is easily incorporated into beverages and foods. To determine its physiological effects in healthy human subjects, we fed 0, 20, and 40 g of acacia gum in orange juice along with a bagel and [...] Read more.
Acacia gum (AG) is a non-viscous soluble fiber that is easily incorporated into beverages and foods. To determine its physiological effects in healthy human subjects, we fed 0, 20, and 40 g of acacia gum in orange juice along with a bagel and cream cheese after a 12 h fast and compared satiety, glycemic response, gastrointestinal tolerance, and food intake among treatments. Subjects (n = 48) reported less hunger and greater fullness at 15 min (p = 0.019 and 0.003, respectively) and 240 min (p = 0.036 and 0.05, respectively) after breakfast with the 40 g fiber treatment. They also reported being more satisfied at 15 min (p = 0.011) and less hungry with the 40 g fiber treatment at 30 min (p = 0.012). Subjects reported more bloating, flatulence, and GI rumbling on the 40 g fiber treatment compared to control, although values for GI tolerance were all low with AG treatment. No significant differences were found in area under the curve (AUC) or change from baseline for blood glucose response, although actual blood glucose with 20 g fiber at 30 min was significantly less than control. Individuals varied greatly in their postprandial glucose response to all treatments. AG improves satiety response and may lower peak glucose response at certain timepoints, and it is well tolerated in healthy human subjects. AG can be added to beverages and foods in doses that can help meet fiber recommendations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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14 pages, 4020 KiB  
Article
Deep Dive Into the Effects of Food Processing on Limiting Starch Digestibility and Lowering the Glycemic Response
by Gautier Cesbron-Lavau, Aurélie Goux, Fiona Atkinson, Alexandra Meynier and Sophie Vinoy
Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020381 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2314
Abstract
During processing of cereal-based food products, starch undergoes dramatic changes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of food processing on the starch digestibility profile of cereal-based foods using advanced imaging techniques, and to determine the effect of preserving starch [...] Read more.
During processing of cereal-based food products, starch undergoes dramatic changes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of food processing on the starch digestibility profile of cereal-based foods using advanced imaging techniques, and to determine the effect of preserving starch in its native, slowly digestible form on its in vivo metabolic fate. Four different food products using different processing technologies were evaluated: extruded products, rusks, soft-baked cakes, and rotary-molded biscuits. Imaging techniques (X-ray diffraction, micro-X-ray microtomography, and electronic microscopy) were used to investigate changes in slowly digestible starch (SDS) structure that occurred during these different food processing technologies. For in vivo evaluation, International Standards for glycemic index (GI) methodology were applied on 12 healthy subjects. Rotary molding preserved starch in its intact form and resulted in the highest SDS content (28 g/100 g) and a significantly lower glycemic and insulinemic response, while the three other technologies resulted in SDS contents below 3 g/100 g. These low SDS values were due to greater disruption of the starch structure, which translated to a shift from a crystalline structure to an amorphous one. Modulation of postprandial glycemia, through starch digestibility modulation, is a meaningful target for the prevention of metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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14 pages, 831 KiB  
Article
Noodles Made from High Amylose Wheat Flour Attenuate Postprandial Glycaemia in Healthy Adults
by Kim Ang, Carla Bourgy, Haelee Fenton, Ahmed Regina, Marcus Newberry, Dean Diepeveen, Domenico Lafiandra, Sara Grafenauer, Wendy Hunt and Vicky Solah
Nutrients 2020, 12(8), 2171; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082171 - 22 Jul 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4472
Abstract
Previous research has not considered the effect of high amylose wheat noodles on postprandial glycaemia. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of consumption of high amylose noodles on postprandial glycaemia over 2-h periods by monitoring changes in blood glucose [...] Read more.
Previous research has not considered the effect of high amylose wheat noodles on postprandial glycaemia. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of consumption of high amylose noodles on postprandial glycaemia over 2-h periods by monitoring changes in blood glucose concentration and calculating the total area under the blood glucose concentration curve. Twelve healthy young adults were recruited to a repeated measure randomised, single-blinded crossover trial to compare the effect of consuming noodles (180 g) containing 15%, 20% and 45% amylose on postprandial glycaemia. Fasting blood glucose concentrations were taken via finger-prick blood samples. Postprandial blood glucose concentrations were taken at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min. Subjects consuming high amylose noodles made with flour containing 45% amylose had significantly lower blood glucose concentration at 15, 30 and 45 min (5.5 ± 0.11, 6.1 ± 0.11 and 5.6 ± 0.11 mmol/L; p = 0.01) compared to subjects consuming low amylose noodles with 15% amylose (5.8 ± 0.12, 6.6 ± 0.12 and 5.9 ± 0.12 mmol/L). The total area under the blood glucose concentration curve after consumption of high amylose noodles with 45% amylose was 640.4 ± 9.49 mmol/L/min, 3.4% lower than consumption of low amylose noodles with 15% amylose (662.9 ± 9.49 mmol/L/min), p = 0.021. Noodles made from high amylose wheat flour attenuate postprandial glycaemia in healthy young adults, as characterised by the significantly lower blood glucose concentration and a 3.4% reduction in glycaemic response. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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Review

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16 pages, 1205 KiB  
Review
A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression on the Effects of Carbohydrates on Sleep
by Angelos Vlahoyiannis, Christoforos D. Giannaki, Giorgos K. Sakkas, George Aphamis and Eleni Andreou
Nutrients 2021, 13(4), 1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041283 - 14 Apr 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 12268
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of quantity, quality and periodization of carbohydrates consumption on sleep. PubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library were searched through October 2020. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Eleven articles were included in the meta-analysis which consisted of [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the effects of quantity, quality and periodization of carbohydrates consumption on sleep. PubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library were searched through October 2020. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Eleven articles were included in the meta-analysis which consisted of 27 separate nutrition trials, resulting in 16 comparison data sets (sleep quantity n = 11; sleep quality n = 5). Compared to high carbohydrate (HCI), low carbohydrate intake (LCI) moderately increased duration and proportion of N3 sleep stage (ES = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.56; p < 0.001 and ES = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.33, 0.69; p < 0.001, respectively). HCI prolonged rapid eye movement (REM) stage duration (ES = −0.38; 95% CI = 0.05, −8.05; p < 0.001) and proportion (ES = −0.46; 95% CI = −0.83, −0.01; p < 0.001), compared to LCI. The quality of carbohydrate intake did not affect sleep stages. Meta-regression showed that the effectiveness of carbohydrate quantity and quality in sleep onset latency was significantly explained by alterations of carbohydrate intake as a percentage of daily energy intake (R2 = 25.87, p = 0.018) and alterations in the glycemic load (R2 = 50.8, p = 0.048), respectively. Alterations in glycemic load partially explained the variance of the effectiveness of carbohydrate quality in sleep efficiency (R2 = 89.2, p < 0.001) and wake after sleep onset (R2 = 64.9, p = 0.018). Carbohydrate quantity was shown to affect sleep architecture, and especially N3 and REM sleep stages. Alterations in both quantity and quality of carbohydrate intake showed a significant effect on sleep initiation. Variations in carbohydrate quality significantly affected measures of sleep continuation. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of long-term carbohydrate interventions on sleep. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Carbohydrate and Human Health)
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