A Blended-Rather Than Whole-Lentil Meal with or without α-Galactosidase Mildly Increases Healthy Adults' Appetite but Not Their Glycemic Response

Background: Disrupting the physical structure of pulses by blending them or by using a digestive supplement (alpha-galactosidase) to reduce intestinal discomfort could potentially negate the previously observed beneficial effects of whole pulses of lowering appetitive and glycemic responses because of more rapid digestion. Objective: We hypothesized that blended lentils, alpha-galactosidase, or both increase postprandial appetite and blood glucose responses vs. whole lentils. Methods: Men and women [n = 12; means +/- SDs body mass index (kg/m(2)): 23.3 +/- 3.1; aged 28 +/- 10 y] consumed breakfast meals containing whole (W), blended (B), or no lentils [control (C)1, each with 3 alpha-galactosidase or placebo capsules in a randomized, crossover, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Between each test day there was a 3- to 5-d washout period. Results: Mixed-model ANOVA showed effects of meal on postprandial appetite and glucose (P = 0.0001-0.031). The B meal resulted in higher postprandial appetite ratings than did the W meal but not the C meal for hunger, desire to eat, and prospective consumption (Delta = 0.4-0.5 points; P = 0.002-0.044). Postprandial glucose concentration was 4.5 mg/dL lower for the B meal than for the C meal (P < 0.0001) but did not differ from the W meal. There were no main effects of alpha-galactosidase, but there were meal x alpha-galactosidase interaction effects, with a greater postprandial desire to eat and lower postprandial fullness with the B meal than with the 2 other meals in the placebo condition but not in the alpha-galactosidase condition. Conclusions: Blending lentils increased appetite (similar to 6%), but not glycemic response, compared with whole lentils, whereas alpha-galactosidase did not. Both B and W meals may be consumed (with or without an alpha-galactosidase supplement) with little impact on appetite, without increasing glycemic response. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02110511.