Thin protein intake before meals helps control diabetes

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have found that taking a drink containing lean protein before breakfast will reduce the level of unstable glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Thin protein is the remaining liquid after the milk is fermented into cheese. Thin protein not only restricts glucose levels of diabetics but also helps reduce the need for insulin.

"Drinking a lot of milk has long been thought to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease. Thinness from milk increases the production of a gut hormone called GLP-1 to help synthesize insulin. This helps reduce blood sugar after eating, " said Dr. Daniela Jakubovic of the Diabetes Department, Wolfson Medical Center, Tel Aviv University.

Scientists have conducted research with 15 patients who are thought to have good control of their type 2 diabetes. Before breakfast, they were given 250ml of milk, including 50ml of lean protein or placebo. At the same time, they were tested for blood samples. Later, the patients ate breakfast consisting of three slices of white bread with lots of sugar to increase their blood sugar.

The blood tests later showed that the blood sugar of those who drank protein with lean protein reduced 28% within 3 hours after a meal. They also had about 150% higher insulin production and 141% higher GLP-1 intake.

The ability to increase insulin production by lean protein makes it "on par, even a step above other antidiabetic drugs," according to Dr Jakubowicz. Currently, researchers are conducting a series of long-term diabetic test treatments using lean protein based on their research results.