Effect of feeding increasing quantities of starch on glycaemic and insulinaemic responses in healthy horses.

The research article explores the impact of feeding horses with increasing amounts of starch on their blood sugar (glycaemic) and insulin (insulinaemic) responses. It suggests that a certain level of starch intake can optimally manage these responses.

Study Design and Execution

• The researchers designed a cross-over study, contrasting the effects of different interventions within the same group of subjects. This approach mitigates potential bias that could be introduced by individual variations between subjects.
• In this study, four horses were used as subjects, and they were given varying amounts of a compound feed that ranged from 0.5 kg to 3.5 kg. This diet was designed to deliver different amounts of starch to each horse: 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1.1, 1.4 and 2 grams per kilogram (g/kg) of their body weight (BW) per meal.

Results and Observations

• The glycemic response, i.e., the effect that food has on the horse’s blood sugar level after consumption, noticeably increased as the amount of starch intake went up. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation (P<0.05) between the two variables.
• When the horses were given less than 1.1 g of starch per kg of their body weight, their glycaemic response was lower compared to when they were given 1.1 to 2 g of starch per kg of their body weight. This finding was extremely significant statistically (P<0.01).
• Insulin response, which is how the body reacts to the rise in blood sugar levels by producing insulin, was suggested to be a better measure for gauging the impact of varying starch levels in the diet.
• In spite of using highly processed cereals in the diet, a starch intake of less than 1.1 g/kg BW per meal only provoked moderate blood sugar and insulin responses.

Recommendations

• The study concluded by advising a starch intake of less than 1.1 g/kg of body weight/meal or a meal size of 0.3 kg/100 kg body weight. This amount is equal to a 30-40% starch content in the diet and is recommended for feeding horses to optimally manage their blood sugar and insulin responses.