Abstract/Summary

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and poor glucose regulation in the immediate postprandial period are both associated with impairments in cognitive function. There is evidence that foods which generate a better postprandial glycemic response, such as low glycemic index foods, (which produce a lower glycemic peak, less variability and a more sustained decline) are associated with cognitive benefits over the morning. However, the potential impact of consuming multiple meals of this nature over the course of a day on cognition in T2DM has not been explored. Objective: The primary aim of this research was to investigate whether a multi-meal paradigm producing a low glycemic response was associated with cognitive benefits in patients with non-insulin dependent T2DM relative to a multi-meal paradigm producing a high glycemic response. Methods: Twenty five adults with non-insulin dependent T2DM (mean aged 57 years) consumed two multi-meal profiles consisting of a breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack on two separate test days following a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design. The two conditions were a low glycemic index profile (LGIP) and a high glycemic index profile (HGIP). Results: Cognitive function, glycemic response, mood and satiety were assessed over the day from 8:30am to 5pm. Overall, there were limited cognitive effects. However, there was evidence for cognitive benefits in the period before lunch, as demonstrated by better global cognitive function and executive function for the LGIP relative to the HGIP. No clear effects were observed for mood. Conclusions: This study shows that a multi-meal paradigm producing a low glycemic response was associated with some benefits for cognitive function in patients with T2DM.