Effects an parameters of glucose homeostasis in healthy humans from ingestion of leguminous versus maize starches

Background: Due to their lower glycaemic index, leguminous seeds affect hum an carbohydrate metabolism lesser than do cereals. Problems, however, could arise from side effects, e.g., increasing flatulence. Aim of the study and methods. In 26 healthy subjects, metabolic and symptom atic responses following acute ingestion of equivalent amounts of pure pea starch (NASTAR (Cosucra BV, Rosendaal/The Netherlands): crude yellow pea fl our (CPC Deutschland, Germany), and modified and unmodified cornstarches (S NOWFLAKE and SIRONA, Cerestar/Germany) were assessed, i.e., plasma glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, hydrogen exhalation, and flatulence. Results: Pure pea starch elicited less hyperglycaemia (minus 47 %), hyperin sulinaemia (minus 54 %), and C-peptide secretion (minus 37 %) as compared t o cornstarch (p<0.05), while the responses to modified versus unmodified co rn starch were similar (8 subjects, n.s.). Pure pea and corn starches were equally well tolerated, while flatulence and breath hydrogen concentration were increased only after the intake of crude pea flour. Maldigestion of pe a flour was calculated to be around 10 % (reference lactulose). Conclusions: The well-known metabolic advantages of pea starch over cornsta rch were confirmed. Tolerability of pure pea starch was excellent, but not of crude pea flour. Provided it has the same technical characteristics, pur e pea starch as a "prebiotic" could replace cornstarch in industrial food p roduction.