According to the researchers, the research could help those individuals who are trying to improve their blood sugar control.
According to the new research by the research team from the University of Bath, intake of protein at night increases the morning blood sugar levels of the healthy people. The research was published in July 2020 in The Physiological Society's virtual early career conference named Future Physiology 2020. High blood sugar levels after meals are associated with health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Previous studies have shown that a snack (breakfast) a few hours before a meal can help control sugar levels.
During this research, the researchers examined whether getting up at night to eat some protein could lower blood sugar in the morning. The team found that when participants ate protein instead of plain water at 4 a.m., their blood glucose response to breakfast was higher. These new findings could help those individuals who are trying to improve their blood sugar control. According to the research, the human body does not need or expect much food during the night and hence the protein was converted to sugar.
The result of this is that there are already more carbohydrates available in the body, thus energy can be used easily or stored at breakfast, building up more in the blood. During this research, the team examined around 15 healthy individuals. The participants were asked to wake up at 4 am to consume 300 ml of water either with or without 63 grams of whey protein. Then they fell asleep and a standard quantity of porridge was provided for breakfast at 9 am. The team collected the blood samples of the participants to check the blood sugar response. Then the participants were asked to do the same for a week. During this course, they were asked to consume another drink at 4 am to compare the sugar response and see the effects of the protein.