Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and energy use in men
What it found
In ten healthy men, a single meal made with hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate led to higher energy use and fat burning than the same meal made with waxy maize starch.
It also led to lower blood sugar, insulin and GIP responses.
What they found
Studies in people
Energy use
After the hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate meal, the men burned more energy at rest than after the waxy maize starch meal. The increase was seen at 180 minutes after eating.
Fat burning
Fat use was higher and carbohydrate use was lower after the hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate meal compared with the waxy maize starch meal.
Blood sugar and insulin
Blood sugar and insulin responses were lower after the hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate meal. The peak blood sugar and the overall blood sugar response were both lower.
GIP hormone
The gut hormone GIP rose less after the hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate meal. The lower GIP response was linked to higher energy use and fat burning.
Blood fats
There was no difference in blood levels of TAG or NEFA between the two meals.
What the authors conclude
- They say an HDP-rich diet may therefore have beneficial implications in weight management.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see whether this modified starch affects energy metabolism and the gut hormone GIP in people, since earlier animal studies suggested it might help with weight control.
Ten healthy men, average age 35, ate two test meals in random order at least a week apart. One meal contained waxy maize starch, the other contained hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate from waxy maize starch. The researchers measured energy use and blood markers for 180 minutes after each meal.
What it can’t tell you
- This was a single meal test in ten healthy men, so it cannot show what happens with long-term use or in other groups.
- The study cannot prove that these changes would lead to weight loss over time.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Biological Science Laboratories, Japan
The paper
- Title
- Dietary supplementation with hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from waxy maize starch increases resting energy expenditure by lowering the postprandial glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide response in human subjects
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Shimotoyodome A, Suzuki J, Kameo Y, Hase T (2011). Dietary supplementation with hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from waxy maize starch increases resting energy expenditure by lowering the postprandial glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide response in human subjects. The British journal of nutrition. doi:10.1017/S0007114510005854Free full textPubMed 21338535DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error