A large breakfast containing whey protein may help manage type 2 diabetes, new research from Israel reports. The study results were presented, at ENDO 2016, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, in Boston.

"A high-calorie protein breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner is a proven successful strategy for weight loss, improved satiety and reduced glucose spikes throughout the day in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes," said lead study author Daniela Jakubowicz, MD, Professor of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. It is interesting to note that the benefits of high protein content during the breakfast also depend on the protein source and quality. "Whey protein powder, which is a byproduct of milk during cheese production, induced greater satiety and reduction of glucose spikes after meals compared to other protein sources. The researchers randomly assigned 48 overweight and obese participants with type 2 diabetes who were, on average, 59 years of age, to one of three diets that contained the same number of calories.

For 23 months, all participants ate a large breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner. One group ate breakfast containing mostly whey protein such as whey protein shakes, the second group ate breakfast containing other proteins including eggs, soy and tuna, and the third ate breakfast high in carbohydrates or starch. After 12 weeks, the group on whey protein lost the most weight: 7.6 kg (16.7 pounds), compared to 6.1 kg (13.4 pounds) for those on the other proteins, and 3.1 kg (6.8 pounds) for those in the carbohydrate group.

Whey protein diet participants were more satiated and less hungry throughout the day, with lower glucose spikes after meals compared to the other two diets, and their HbA1C also decreased more compared to other diets.

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