Estimation of glycemic index in a dietary formulation targeted to support enteral and oral nutritional needs

Abstract

Abstract Background Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred method to extend nutritional support and mitigate the chances of malnutrition in patients who are critically ill. In these patients, the risk of hyperglycemia is high and can result in poor clinical outcomes and delayed recovery. Hence, estimation of the glycemic index (GI) of supplements used in EN becomes important to reduce all such risks. Objective To estimate the GI of a nutritional supplement formulated for critically ill patients during hospitalization and after recovery. Methods Ten healthy participants (mean age: 25 years; mean body mass index: 21 kg/m2) were included in the study. The test food was a high protein energy dense supplement, that derived 25 g of available carbohydrates which was fed to all the participants. The reference food used was 27.5 g of glucose monohydrate drink. Capillary blood glucose was measured at fasting (0 min) and at an interval of 15 min till 120 min, after consuming the reference and test food, for estimating the GI. Glycemic index values were computed by using the method suggested by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the the World Health Organization (WHO). Results The mean GI of the test food was 39 ± 3 when calculated using the internationally recognized GI protocol. Conclusion The GI of the test food was found to be in the category of low GI.