Comparison of postprandial glycaemia in Asians and Caucasians.

OBJECTIVE

To compare postprandial glycaemic responses between Asian and Caucasian subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Postprandial capillary blood glucose concentrations were measured as 2-h incremental areas-under-the-curve (iAUCs) following consumption of a glucose beverage and a breakfast cereal in 27 Asians and 73 Caucasians.

RESULTS

The mean difference in iAUC was 29%(95%CI 10, 51) and 63%(95%CI 32, 102) higher in the Asian compared with the Caucasian group following the glucose beverage and cereal, respectively.The glycaemic index (GI) of the cereal was 77(95%CI 66, 90) in the Asian group and 61 (95% CI 55, 67) in the Caucasian group; the values were different (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that dietary recommendations for people with diabetes and those at risk of Type 2 diabetes may be more appropriate if based on research in the ethnic group for which they are intended.