Comparison of Blood Glucose Response Between Jimmy Joy Plenny Bar and Huel Bar over 135 Minutes

Goal

We wanted to compare the effects of the two products on the blood levels after consumption.

Method

Five subjects of varied ages and genders were selected following completion of an eligibility questionnaire to ensure that none had medical conditions or were using medication that may affect blood glucose levels (diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance or digestive conditions, or were pregnant or lactating).

They were also asked if they had any known food intolerances to any of the ingredients in Huel or Jimmy Joy and that were not prone to fainting. 

The trial took place on two separate non-consecutive trial days: Part 1 and Part 2. On Part 1 of the trial Plenny Bar was consumed and on Part 2 of the trial Huel was consumed.

Plenny Bar v2.0

Each subject fasted for 12 hours overnight where they were permitted to consume nothing apart from water.  Following this, each subject consumed a 400kcal serving (100g) of salted caramel within the time window of five minutes. Blood glucose was tested immediately after consumption using a glucometer (Accu-Chek® (Roche)).  Blood glucose readings were taken again at 15 minute intervals up to 135 minutes after consumption, giving a total of 10 readings. Blood glucose levels were recorded in mmol per litre.

Huel Bar v3.1

Each subject fasted for 12 hours overnight where they were permitted to consume nothing apart from water.  Following this, each subject consumed a 400kcal serving (100g) of salted caramel within the time window of five minutes. Blood glucose was tested immediately after consumption using a glucometer (Accu-Chek® (Roche)).  Blood glucose readings were taken again at 15 minute intervals up to 135 minutes after consumption, giving a total of 10 readings. Blood glucose levels were recorded in mmol per litre.

Results

The following illustrates graphically the comparison of blood glucose response between Huel and Jimmy Joy Plenny Bar.

The following table shows the blood glucose levels recorded and their mean for Part 1 (Plenny Bar) at 15 minute intervals over 135 minutes in 5 subjects: 

Plenny Bar v2.0
Time/mins 1 2 3 4 5 Average
0 4.9 4.9 4.8 5.3 4.1 4.80
15 6.3 5.1 6 5.6 4.8 5.56
30 7 6.4 5.8 6.2 5.3 6.14
45 4.7 5.3 4.8 6.1 6.3 5.44
60 4,7 4.9 4 6 6.1 5.25
75 4.8 4.7 4.3 5.9 6.4 5.22
90 4.7 5 4.3 5.8 6.8 5.32
105 4.8 4.6 5.2 5.7 6.3 5.32
120 4.2 5.3 4.9 5.6 6.3 5.26
136 4.2 4.9 4.8 5.5 5.8 5.04

 

 

The following table shows the blood glucose levels recorded and their mean for Part 2 (Huel) at 15 minute intervals over 135 minutes in 5 subjects:


Huel bar v3.1
Time/mins 1 2 3 4 5 Average
0 4.9 4.6 5.4 4.8 4.7 4.88
15 6.1 6.6 5.3 6.1 6.4 6.10
30 7 6 6.2 8.3 5.5 6.60
45 5.5 5.7 4.4 5.8 5.8 5.44
60 4.5 5.2 3.6 6.1 5.8 5.04
75 4.6 5.7 3.8 5.4 6.4 5.18
90 5.6 5.8 4.4 5.3 4.9 5.20
105 4.9 5.2 4.6 5.6 5.9 5.24
120 4.4 5.5 5 5.8 6 5.34
136 5.2 6.2 4.8 5.5 4.9 5.32


Conclusion

This trial indicates that there is a bigger increase in blood glucose levels following consumption of Huel bar when compared to Plenny Bar.