Association between Habitual Diet and the Postprandial Glucose Response—An Enable Study

Scope: It is inconclusive which factors influence inter-individual variations of postprandial glucose response (PPGR). This study investigates whether the habitual diet is associated with PPGR. Methods and results: Data from healthy adults (young adults with 18–25 years, middle-aged adults with 40–65 years, and older adults with 75–85 years) is collected at baseline and during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) collected. Habitual diet is assessed by a food frequency questionnaire and two 24-h food lists. Associations between habitual diet and glucose incremental area under the curve (iAUC_min) are examined by regression models. The intake of cereals and cereal products is negatively associated with glucose iAUC_min (p = 0.002) in the total cohort (N = 459, 50% women, 55 ± 21 years, BMI 26 ± 5 kg m⁻²). Up to 9% of the variance in the glycemic response is explained by the respective dietary parameters identified in the models of the specific age groups. Conclusion: There are age-specific diet-related effects on PPGR. The usual intake of cereals and cereal products seems to play a greater role in PPGR in more than one age group. Further research is needed, to establish how diet can be optimized based on age and PPGR.