Postprandial glycemic response to whole fruit versus blended fruit in healthy, young adults

Summary

This study investigated whether the physical form of fruit — whole versus blended — influences postprandial glycaemic response in healthy young adults. By comparing matched portions of fruit consumed in their intact form against the same fruit blended into a smoothie, the study aimed to determine whether blending, which disrupts food matrix structure and may increase the rate of sugar absorption, produces a meaningfully different glycaemic profile. The findings likely contribute to evidence on how food processing and structural integrity affect metabolic responses, with implications for dietary guidance on fruit consumption.

UK applicability

Whilst this study was likely conducted in the United States, its findings are broadly applicable to UK dietary guidance, particularly given ongoing public health debate around whether blended fruit (e.g. smoothies) should count towards the UK's five-a-day recommendations in the same way as whole fruit.

Key measures

Blood glucose concentration (mmol/L or mg/dL); incremental area under the curve (iAUC); peak postprandial glucose; time to peak glucose

Outcomes reported

The study measured postprandial blood glucose response following consumption of whole fruit compared with blended (smoothie-style) fruit in healthy young adults. It likely reported glycaemic metrics such as peak blood glucose, incremental area under the curve (iAUC), and time to peak glucose.

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