Mycoprotein in a meal and blood sugar handling
What it found
In 24 adults, a drink with 20 g mycoprotein did not change blood sugar or insulin levels over 6 hours compared with a drink without it.
It did slightly speed up how quickly glucose appeared and disappeared in the blood.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood sugar levels
Blood sugar rose after both drinks and peaked at the same level, about 7.3 mmol/L at 41 minutes. Over 6 hours, there was no difference in total blood sugar between the mycoprotein and control drinks.
Insulin levels
Insulin rose after both drinks. The mycoprotein drink led to a slightly higher peak insulin level, but total insulin over 6 hours was the same as the control drink.
Glucose appearance
The total amount of glucose appearing in the blood over 6 hours was 5% higher with the mycoprotein drink (95 g vs 90 g). Most of this extra glucose appeared in the first 2 hours.
Glucose disappearance
The total amount of glucose disappearing from the blood over 6 hours was 7% higher with the mycoprotein drink (99 g vs 93 g). This matched the extra glucose appearing, so blood sugar levels stayed the same.
Source of glucose
In a subset of 12 people, the mycoprotein drink did not change how much glucose came from the drink itself versus from the body's own production. The fibre in mycoprotein did not delay carbohydrate absorption.
Body weight
There was no link between body mass index and how blood sugar responded to the mycoprotein drink. Insulin response was linked to body mass index, but this did not change the effect of mycoprotein.
What the authors conclude
“The ingestion of mycoprotein within a mixed-meal impacted postprandial glucose kinetics, but not blood glucose or serum insulin concentrations, in individuals of ranging BMI.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that ingesting mycoprotein within a mixed meal impacted postprandial glucose kinetics, but not blood glucose or serum insulin concentrations, in individuals of ranging BMI.
- They suggest that the dose of insoluble fibre provided in the mycoprotein drink was likely not sufficient to reduce postprandial glucose when consumed with free glucose.
- They advise that investigation into whether higher doses of mycoprotein improve glycaemic control is warranted.
How it was done
Mycoprotein is a high-fibre food that earlier studies suggested might lower blood sugar after a meal. The authors wanted to find out whether this happens because mycoprotein slows the appearance of glucose in the blood.
Twenty-four adults with a range of body weights drank two milk-based drinks on separate days, one with 20 g mycoprotein and one without, in a random order. Both drinks contained 50 g glucose. Blood samples were taken for 6 hours to measure glucose and insulin.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial used a single dose of 20 g mycoprotein in a drink. It cannot show what happens with higher doses or with solid meals.
- The study lasted only 6 hours after one meal. It cannot show the effects of eating mycoprotein regularly over time.
- The participants had normal blood sugar levels, so the results may not apply to people with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging) (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- University of Exeter, UK; University of Texas Medical Branch, USA
The paper
- Title
- The addition of mycoprotein to a mixed-meal impacts postprandial glucose kinetics without altering blood glucose concentrations: a randomised controlled trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Licence
- CC BY. Words in quotation marks are the authors’; the rest is our summary.
- Cite
- Whelehan G, West S, Abdelrahman DR, et al (2024). The addition of mycoprotein to a mixed-meal impacts postprandial glucose kinetics without altering blood glucose concentrations: a randomised controlled trial. European journal of clinical nutrition. doi:10.1038/s41430-024-01470-4Free full textPubMed 39003347DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error