Insulinaemic and glycaemic responses to a second meal of a fibre- or starch-enriched compound feed in healthy horses.

This study focuses on how a second meal of either a starch-enriched or fibre-enriched feed affects sugar and insulin levels in healthy horses. Interestingly, starch-enriched feed tends to increase these levels more than its fibre-enriched counterpart, although this difference lessens with the second meal. The findings suggest that assessing the effects of a single meal might not represent the total impact if the horse eats more than once daily.

Overview

In this research, the scientists wanted to determine the impacts that a second serving of either a fibre- or starch-enriched compound feed had on the glycaemic (sugar) and insulinaemic (insulin) responses in healthy horses.

Method

• The study utilized a cross-over design, whereby horses were subjected to different feeding plans at different moments in time. The feeding plans involved either a starch-enriched compound feed (SCF) or a fibre-enriched compound feed (FCF).
• On the days when they were collecting blood samples, the first feed (referred to as the first meal) was administered in the morning, at 8 a.m. A second meal was then offered to the horses 510 minutes after they had finished the first meal.

Findings

• The results unveiled that significantly higher glycaemic and insulinaemic responses were brought about by the starch-enriched feed (SCF) compared to the fibre-enriched feed (FCF).
• When the fibre-enriched feed was fed as the second meal, moderate glycaemic and insulinaemic responses similar to those of the first meal were experienced.
• On the other hand, if the starch-enriched compound feed was used as the second meal, it led to significantly reduced sugar and insulin responses as compared to the first meal.

Implications

• The findings suggest that evaluating glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of a single meal may not be an adequate determination of the overall impact when more than one meal is offered each day.
• The researchers conclude that feeding strategies and compound feed types (fibre- or starch-enriched) can significantly alter the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses in horses.