Drink a cup of it before meals to control disease and lower blood sugar

Recently, a study published in the British Medical Journal - Open Diabetes Research and Care showed that drinking a small amount of whey protein before meals can help people with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar.

In the study, 18 people with type 2 diabetes drank a 100-ml drink containing 15 grams of protein 10 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while continuing to take their prescribed diabetes medications.

This pre-mixed drink containing a low dose of whey protein has great potential for dietary management.

To compare the potential benefits of whey protein, the participants also drank a control drink without protein for one week for comparison.

The researchers also observed the participants as they went about their daily lives for a week.

"This is a convenient, tasty, small pre-made drink that people can carry with them and drink before meals," said Kieran Smith, a doctoral student at Newcastle University in the UK who was responsible for blood sugar monitoring and analysis of the data.

Continuous glucose monitoring results showed that participants' blood sugar levels were better controlled when taking the whey protein supplement before meals.

They spent an average of two hours more per day in normal blood sugar levels compared to the week without protein.

In addition, their daily blood sugar levels were 0.6 mmol/L lower than when they did not consume any protein-containing supplements.

Lead researcher Daniel West from Newcastle University's Human Nutrition Research Centre said: "Previous studies in the laboratory over a short period of time have shown the potential of this dietary intervention, but this is the first time it has been monitored in people as they go about their normal lives."

"We think whey protein works in two ways. First, it slows the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. Second, it stimulates the secretion of some important hormones that prevent blood sugar from rising." West said that with the increasing number of people with diabetes around the world, it is even more important to study the potential of food supplements and other drug alternatives.

The research team plans to further explore the benefits of non-medical interventions in a larger study lasting up to six months.

They also plan to investigate alternative proteins, such as those from plant sources such as peas, fungi and potatoes, to provide more options for some people's dietary needs.