Cephalic Phase Insulin Response is about how a food's attributes, how it's color, appearance, flavor, aroma, and texture can influence our gastrointestinal physiology by affecting our early metabolic responses. The
latest article published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looks into several studies regarding such an insulin response, and what it might mean to us, as far as real life in concerned.
Lots of folks reject the notion as theory, claiming there's no proof for it's reality, but the article above cites many, many studies (some animal, some human) that do prove an immediate insulin response in most individuals, whenever the senses are engaged pertaining to food/drink. The real question is not whether Cephalic response exists, but just how much influence that insulin elevation will have on our fat loss efforts and health.
Part of the controversy is based on the way these studies are conducted. There's no uniformity. Some studies present folks with pictures, others have them actually taste the food. And still others (animal studies only) use non-caloric sweet-tasting sugar-subs in an attempt to isolate the taste sense from the insulin secreted due to actual digestion of the food or drink. This tends to skew the results some, at least as far as being able to come to honest conclusions. Plus we also have the problem of not everything being true for humans that is true for animals.
In human studies, some normal weight folks have no response to such stimuli. Others have various responses of 10% above their insulin baseline to as much as 75% within one minute of ingestion. With insulin levels peaking within 5 minutes, then falling back to normal within 10 minutes. It occurs whether or not you have a hyperglycemic response to what you've ingested, since blood sugar levels during the observation period didn't change much. But it was also noted that the degree of insulin elevation was clearly associated with the amount of food ingested.
On obese individuals, the studies have shown a much stronger response than those of normal weight, but some have shown comparable results. Whether that high response has something to do with the fact that obese individuals already have elevated base insulin levels, and the tests are just a reflection of that higher elevation or not, it still comes back around to individuality. And more likely the degree of metabolic damage an individual has.
The most interesting part of the article was the animal studies they did using non-nutritive substances. Because the saccarine-water solution (comparable to a diet soda, sugar-free jello, etc.) caused the animal's insulin levels to soar 200% above their normal baseline. Higher than carbohydrates!
What is therefore clear is that responses, irregardless of weight, are associated with a food/drink's palatability and acceptability. So if you don't particularly like a certain food or drink, or maybe have a take-it-or-leave-it-attitude, it probably won't be inclined to elevate your insulin levels. But if you really love something...if you're clearly engaging your senses by partaking in such food and drink...if you're addicted to the taste of sweet...well...that's clearly a whole other matter.
And may be something you just might want to revisit and reconsider.
Lots of folks reject the notion as theory, claiming there's no proof for it's reality, but the article above cites many, many studies (some animal, some human) that do prove an immediate insulin response in most individuals, whenever the senses are engaged pertaining to food/drink. The real question is not whether Cephalic response exists, but just how much influence that insulin elevation will have on our fat loss efforts and health.
Part of the controversy is based on the way these studies are conducted. There's no uniformity. Some studies present folks with pictures, others have them actually taste the food. And still others (animal studies only) use non-caloric sweet-tasting sugar-subs in an attempt to isolate the taste sense from the insulin secreted due to actual digestion of the food or drink. This tends to skew the results some, at least as far as being able to come to honest conclusions. Plus we also have the problem of not everything being true for humans that is true for animals.
In human studies, some normal weight folks have no response to such stimuli. Others have various responses of 10% above their insulin baseline to as much as 75% within one minute of ingestion. With insulin levels peaking within 5 minutes, then falling back to normal within 10 minutes. It occurs whether or not you have a hyperglycemic response to what you've ingested, since blood sugar levels during the observation period didn't change much. But it was also noted that the degree of insulin elevation was clearly associated with the amount of food ingested.
On obese individuals, the studies have shown a much stronger response than those of normal weight, but some have shown comparable results. Whether that high response has something to do with the fact that obese individuals already have elevated base insulin levels, and the tests are just a reflection of that higher elevation or not, it still comes back around to individuality. And more likely the degree of metabolic damage an individual has.
The most interesting part of the article was the animal studies they did using non-nutritive substances. Because the saccarine-water solution (comparable to a diet soda, sugar-free jello, etc.) caused the animal's insulin levels to soar 200% above their normal baseline. Higher than carbohydrates!
What is therefore clear is that responses, irregardless of weight, are associated with a food/drink's palatability and acceptability. So if you don't particularly like a certain food or drink, or maybe have a take-it-or-leave-it-attitude, it probably won't be inclined to elevate your insulin levels. But if you really love something...if you're clearly engaging your senses by partaking in such food and drink...if you're addicted to the taste of sweet...well...that's clearly a whole other matter.
And may be something you just might want to revisit and reconsider.