Postprandial gut hormone responses to Hass avocado meals and their association with visual analog scores in overweight adults: A randomized 3 × 3 crossover trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes in postingestive gut hormone concentrations from the consumption of Hass avocado by addition or inclusion to lunch test meals, and to examine their association with measures of appetite sensation.

METHODS: A randomized 3 × 3 crossover study was conducted with 26 healthy overweight adults. Participants consumed one of three test meals: avocado-free control (C); isoenergic avocado inclusive (AI); and, energy increased avocado added (AA) one week apart. Ghrelin, peptide YY 3-36 (PYY 3-36), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations were measured at specific times before and following the test meals. Appetite sensations (Hunger, Fullness, Satisfied, Desire, How Much) were self-assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) tool at matching time points and a Composite VAS score was computed. Mixed models and repeated measures analysis were used to compare differences among the test meals for VAS measurements and gut hormones, and their associations were evaluated using regression analysis.

RESULTS: A decrease in the 3-hour GLP-1 area under the curve (AUC) was observed in the AA meal compared to the C meal (P = 0.03). Negative associations were found for PYY 3-36 and GIP for Hunger, Desire and How Much, and positive associations for Fullness, Satisfied and the Composite VAS score (all P < 0.001). For GLP-1, a negative association for Hunger and a positive association for Satisfied and the Composite VAS score (all P < 0.05) were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: Postprandial responses to PYY 3-36, GIP and GLP-1 concentrations were associated with VAS measures and the Composite VAS score following consumption of test meals in overweight adults.