Consuming Lower-Protein Nutrition Bars with Added Leucine Elicits Postprandial Changes in Appetite Sensations in Healthy Women

Abstract

Despite the dose-dependent increases in plasma leucine following the consumption of lower-protein bars enhanced with LP, only the 2-g LP bar elicited consistent postprandial changes in select appetite sensations compared with the 0-g LP bar. This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02091570.

Consumption of High-Leucine-Containing Protein Bar Following Breakfast Impacts Aminoacidemia and Subjective Appetite in Older Persons

“…To our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the effects of breakfast meals and acute ingestion of protein-containing bars on subjective appetite sensations in older adults ( Figure 3 ). In agreement with our results, Bolster et al ( 21 ) reported that lower-protein-containing nutrition bars coingested with 2 g or 3 g leucine peptides increased postprandial fullness ratings. Ingestion of 2 g leucine peptides decreased hunger and desire to eat in younger women.…”

“…The postprandial leucinemia after bar ingestion was similar to that previously reported as being sufficient to stimulate MPS following the ingestion of a single dose of leucine-enriched EAAs in young and older adults ( 30 ), a suboptimal dose of whey protein enriched with leucine in young men ( 14 , 15 ), and beverages containing either 20 or 40 g whey protein in older men ( 27 ) and women ( 12 , 13 ). The peak leucinemia reported in older men and women in the present study was also higher than those reported in a previous study in younger women ( 21 ). In an acute feeding study on a protein- and leucine-enriched bar containing 13 g milk protein and 3.0 g additional leucine, the magnitude of the increase in peak leucinemia ( C max ) was ∼40% lower compared with the results of the present study (∼420 µM compared with ∼590 µM) ( 21 ).…”

“…The peak leucinemia reported in older men and women in the present study was also higher than those reported in a previous study in younger women ( 21 ). In an acute feeding study on a protein- and leucine-enriched bar containing 13 g milk protein and 3.0 g additional leucine, the magnitude of the increase in peak leucinemia ( C max ) was ∼40% lower compared with the results of the present study (∼420 µM compared with ∼590 µM) ( 21 ). In the present study, peak leucinemia exceeded the plasma leucine response previously reported after consuming a 40-g whey protein beverage (∼320 µM) ( 27 ).…”

“…Ingestion of 2 g leucine peptides decreased hunger and desire to eat in younger women. Coingesting 3 g leucine peptides did not further stimulate satiety, probably because leucine transporters likely reached a saturation point ( 21 ). However, there is limited information regarding the role of plasma leucinemia in the regulation of appetite following consumption of a suboptimal protein dose containing fast and slow digestible proteins, free leucine, low glycemic index carbohydrates, and monounsaturated fat in humans ( 20 ).…”

“…Dietary protein has an enhanced acute postprandial effect on satiety and fullness compared with carbohydrate and fat ( 20 ). Few studies have assessed the effects of oral leucine supplementation on satiety and fullness in humans ( 21 , 22 ). The present study aimed to examine the effects of ingesting a high-leucine-containing bar containing a micellar casein, whey protein, and leucine blend on postprandial aminoacidemia and subjective hunger, fullness, and desire to eat in older men and women.…”