https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/breakfast-club-a-glass-of-milk-a-day-keeps-diabetes-away/articleshow/65474506.cms

Breakfast club: A glass of milk a day keeps diabetes away

Drinking high-protein milk at breakfast can help diabetics keep their blood glucose under control, a study has found.

Researchers from the University of Guelph and University of Toronto in Canada showed that a change in breakfast routine may provide benefits for the management of type 2 diabetes.

There is a never-ending discussion about which milk is better and more nutritious than the other. While animal milk (cow, buffalo, goat) contains more protein, fat and calcium, the absorption of plant milk is low in our body, and contains no cholesterol or lactose. Expert says that a person should alternate between different types of milk to get the most of the nutritional value. On World Milk Day, Dr Seema Khanna, consultant nutritionist, shares the much-needed facts about the various milks available in the market.

“Metabolic diseases are on the rise globally, with type 2 diabetes and obesity as leading concerns in human health,” said Douglas Goff, from University of Guelph.

“Thus, there is impetus to develop dietary strategies for the risk reduction and management of obesity and diabetes to empower consumers to improve their personal health,” said Goff.

The team examined the effects of increasing protein concentration and increasing the proportion of whey protein in milk consumed with a high-carbohydrate breakfast cereal on blood glucose, feelings of satiety, and food consumption later in the day.

While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run. A recent study showed that antioxidant-rich walnuts can nearly halve the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. For patients, the ideal diabetic diet plan would be to have 1200-1600 calories per day. It is recommended that diabetics should eat good carbs, fats, and healthy proteins, but in small portions. ETPanache got in touch with doctors and dietitians to get you the ultimate list of foods you must consume to stay healthy. Also read: The comprehensive diabetes guide

Digestion of the whey and casein proteins naturally present in milk releases gastric hormones that slow digestion, increasing feelings of fullness.

Digestion of whey proteins achieves this effect more quickly, whereas casein proteins provide a longer lasting effect.

Although the team only found a modest difference in food consumption at the lunch meal when increasing whey protein at breakfast, they did find that milk consumed with a high-carbohydrate breakfast reduced blood glucose even after lunch, and high-protein milk had a greater effect.

Milk with an increased proportion of whey protein had a modest effect on pre-lunch blood glucose, achieving a greater decrease than that provided by regular milk.

The study, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, confirms the importance of milk at breakfast time to aid in the slower digestion of carbohydrate and to help maintain lower blood sugar levels.

Nutritionists have always stressed the importance of a healthy breakfast, and this study should encourage consumers to include milk, researchers said.