Methylcellulose and HPMC with a meal and insulin response
What it found
In overweight and obese men and women, meals containing methylcellulose or related modified cellulose fibres led to lower insulin peaks after eating than a control meal.
One ultra-high viscosity form also lowered peak glucose.
What they found
Studies in people
Peak glucose
Peak glucose was lower after the meal with 2 g ultra-high viscosity HPMC than after the control meal. The control did not differ from the other meals for peak glucose.
Peak insulin
Peak insulin was lower for all the HPMC and methylcellulose meals compared with the control meal.
Insulin over 120 minutes
Insulin levels over the 120 minutes after eating were lower than control after meals with 2 g high viscosity HPMC, 2 g ultra-high viscosity HPMC, and 4 g methylcellulose.
Glucose over 120 minutes
The HPMC and methylcellulose meals did not differ from control for glucose levels over the 120 minutes after eating.
Gut symptoms
Gut symptoms did not differ among the meals.
What the authors conclude
“These findings indicate that HV-HPMC (1 and 2 g), UHV-HPMC (2 g), and MC (4 g) consumption reduced postprandial insulin excursions consistent with delayed glucose absorption.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that high viscosity HPMC at 1 and 2 g, ultra-high viscosity HPMC at 2 g, and methylcellulose at 4 g reduced insulin rises after eating, consistent with delayed glucose absorption.
How it was done
Fifty overweight and obese men and women ate five breakfast meals, each with 75 g carbohydrate, after an overnight fast. The meals contained 1 g or 2 g high viscosity HPMC, 2 g ultra-high viscosity HPMC, 4 g medium viscosity methylcellulose, or a control. Blood glucose and insulin were measured before the meal and for 120 minutes after. Forty-six people completed all five tests.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial only measured glucose and insulin after a single breakfast meal. It cannot show what happens with long-term use.
- The results are from overweight and obese men and women. They may not apply to other groups.
The paper
- Title
- Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose consumption reduce postprandial insulinemia in overweight and obese men and women
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Maki KC, Carson ML, Miller MP, et al (2008). Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and methylcellulose consumption reduce postprandial insulinemia in overweight and obese men and women. The Journal of nutrition. doi:10.1093/jn/138.2.292PubMed 18203894DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error