A Study to Investigate the Effect of Protein in Infant Formula on Insulin Response in Adults

It has been established that the consumption of a diet that causes a low rise in blood insulin levels is beneficial in terms of risk for diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, it is known that certain nutrients contained within a food play an important role in the insulin response of that food. For example, the type and quantity of protein has been shown to affect the insulin response to particular foods. Different types of infant formula exist, containing different levels and types of protein, yet the impact of these different infant formulas on blood insulin levels is not known. Using a randomized, double blind, cross-over study design, the insulin response to four test milks was compared in healthy adults. The four test milks were as follows: i) infant formula containing partially hydrolyzed protein; ii) infant formula with intact protein; (iii) infant formula with a higher energy and protein content compared to (i) and (ii); and (iv) human breast milk (in a small sub-group). The aim of the study was to show that the insulin response to the partially hydrolyzed formula is similar to that of an infant formula with intact protein.