Effects of two different types of fast food on postprandial metabolism in normal and overweight subjects.

Background/objectives: The aim was to investigate the effects of a conventional and an unconventional fast-food meal on postprandial metabolism in normal and in overweight subjects.

Subjects/methods: Twenty-five healthy normal (n = 12) and overweight (n = 13) volunteers (21-39 years) participated in this randomized, dietary cross-over study and received two test meals (matched in energy and energy giving nutrients) after an overnight fast with 1 week between test days. The conventional fast-food meal was a hamburger meal (hamburger, bacon, cola drink, calculated glycemic load = 48.7), the unconventional fast food was a salmonburger meal (fiber-rich sourdough rye bread, salad with vinegar, orange juice, glycemic load = 46.0). Blood samples were taken before and after the meal and analyzed for glucose (before 20, 40, 60 and 80 min) and insulin (before 1, 2 and 3 h).

Results: Postprandial increases in glucose and insulin were 44% lower after the unconventional meal (P<0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). The difference between meals in insulin response (that is, conventional meal higher than unconventional) correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.538, P = 0.006).

Conclusions: Unconventional fast food can have less effect on blood insulin and glucose postprandially compared with conventional fast food matched in energy and energy giving nutrients. The difference between meals in insulin response is associated with higher BMI. Thus, improvement in food quality might help to control postprandial increases in blood glucose and blood insulin.