Published in the journal Diabetes Therapy, findings showed that individuals taking the supplement have a significantly lower increase in post-meal blood glucose levels, as well as a significantly lower glycemic variability as compared to the control group.
Study details
The randomized, controlled, open-label, crossover study recruited a total of 42 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and assigned them to a test or control group for five days. Following a three-day washout period, the two groups swapped their breakfasts for the next five days.
The test product used was Protinex Diabetes Care, a low-GI, high-protein, fiber-enriched, and micronutrient-fortified diabetes-specific protein supplement (DSPS) from Nutricia International Pvt Ltd–Danone India. The proteins were sourced from both milk and soy.
The supplement was added to Amul toned milk and was taken together with 30 grams of instant upma or poha—two popular Indian savory breakfasts.
On the first day of the study, the participants’ post-meal blood glucose and insulin levels were measured by the researchers at baseline, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes after breakfast to assess the effects of the test product on post-meal blood glucose levels.
The researchers also calculated the total blood glucose and insulin levels, the highest blood glucose and insulin levels, and the maximum increase in blood glucose and insulin levels throughout the three hours after breakfast.
For the subsequent days, the participants measured their glycemic variability (GV) using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) at home.
Findings indicated that the total blood glucose levels in the test group three hours post-breakfast were 59% lower than the control group.
The peak blood glucose levels—or the highest blood glucose reading—in the test group (192.7 ± 45.2 mg/dL) were also significantly lower than the control group (248.3 ± 52.3 mg/dL) three hours post-breakfast
Another metric, the maximum postprandial increase in glucose (ΔCmax), was also significantly lower in the test group as compared to the control group by 46% (64.8 ± 27.3 vs 121.0 ± 39.9 mg/dL; p < 0.001).
No significant differences between the two groups were observed when it came to insulin levels.
Glycemic variability
A significantly lower glycemic variability was also seen in the test group compared to the control group, based on CGM readings.
Glycemic variability (GV) was measured using mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) over the five-day test period.
Results showed that there was a significantly lower GV during the test period compared to the control period, with MAGE of the test period at 78.4 ± 23.1 mg/dL and that of the control period at 93.0 ± 23.7 mg/dL.
A breakdown of the figures further showed that a significantly lower GV was seen in the test group only during the daytime, with no significant difference observed at night.
Protein’s role in blood glucose regulation
The test group also saw a significantly higher protein intake compared to the control group.
Specifically, the mean protein intake in the test group was 8.8 grams higher, with the test group’s mean protein intake at 55.0 ± 11.9 g/day and 46.2 ± 11.7 g/day for the control group.
Energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes did not differ significantly between the two periods.
Based on existing findings, protein could play a role in blood glucose regulation in diabetics by improving insulin sensitivity and stimulating insulin secretion via amino acids from protein digestion.
However, in this study, there was only a significant increase in post-meal insulin at the 30th minute, which meant that the lower post-meal glucose response was not due to higher insulin secretion.
At the 180th minute, there were significantly lower post-meal insulin levels, which contributed to the overall neutral effect on total insulin levels three hours post-meal. In response, the researchers explained that the lower post-meal insulin levels were because the low GI, high protein supplement had lowered the glycemic load and thus decreased the body’s insulin demand.
The researchers concluded that taking a low-GI, high-protein supplement as part of breakfast significantly improves postprandial glucose response without significantly impacting insulin response.
“This study in people with T2DM showed that partial replacement of predominantly cereal breakfasts with DSPS significantly improved PPGR without significantly impacting insulin response,” they wrote. “DSPS use also enhanced daily protein intake and reduced GV throughout the day in a real-world home setting.”
Source: Diabetes Therapy. doi: 10.1007/s13300-025-01834-4. “Effect of a Diabetes-Specific Protein Supplement (DSPS) on Postprandial Glycemic Responses in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Study in India”. Authors: Salis, S.S. et al.
