Effects of different concentrations of oat on postprandial plasma glucose and triglycerides level in healthy individuals

Numerous studies reported potent anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of soluble fiber (β-glucan) found in oat (Avena sativa). However, the effect of different concentrations of oat on blood glucose and triglycerides is not yet well established. The objective of present study was to evaluate one serving oat flakes (35 g) in the various concentrations on postprandial plasma glucose and serum triglycerides level. In a randomized, controlled, crossover study, 11 participants aged 18-25 years were randomly allocated into 3 test meals (1 serving oat in 169, 210 and 335 ml water). Each test was cross-over on a separate day and at least one week apart. Participants were induced hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia by a high carbohydrate and high fat meal (HCHF) which composed of 101.7g carbohydrate (49% of total energy) and 41.9g fat (46 % of total energy). Blood samples were collected for plasma glucose and serum triglycerides analysis at 0 (baseline), 1, 3 and 5 hours. Effect of the test meals on postprandial glucose and triglycerides, incremental glucose and triglycerides level, AUC, iAUC of glucose and triglycerides were assessed by one way repeated ANOVA. Statistical significance, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, was defined as p< 0.05. AUC plasma glucose after oat 1 serving with 169, 210 and 335 ml water were not significantly different (500.09, 535.09 and 535.73 mg/ dL, respectively) compared to each group. There was also no significant effect of different oat on serum triglycerides (343.82, 304.55 and 331.73 mg/ dL, respectively). Possible explanation for the insignificant effect of oatmeal in various concentrations on postprandial blood glucose and triglycerides may be due to low dose of dietary fiber in the intervention meals. In addition, more frequent time intervals and longer experimental period for the blood sample collection are needed to warrant the results.