Experts analyze protein diet methods

In life, we often lose weight by eating less starchy foods, and scientists have found a scientific basis for this.

French scientists recently demonstrated through a series of animal experiments that this dietary structure can induce a series of biological reactions that ultimately make the eater say "no" to the food in front of him.

Protein increases glucose production in the small intestine

The "secret" uncovered by French scientists is that protein plays a leading role in a low-carbohydrate diet for the purpose of losing weight. Protein increases the "production" of glucose in the small intestine. The glucose level in the small intestine has always been monitored by the liver, and the brain is responsible for "recording and analyzing". After analyzing the glucose level in the small intestine, the brain determines whether to send a message saying "full". Once this message is sent, it will suppress appetite.

For this study, researchers gave a group of white mice a diet with a protein content of 50%. The proteins are mainly soy protein and casein. Another group of mice adopted a starch-based diet, with a protein content of only 17%. A week later, the researchers found that the mice who followed the protein-rich diet ate 15% less food than the group who followed the starch-based diet. In addition, during the week, the weight of the mice in the protein group gained very little compared to the other group.

The liver reports glucose concentrations to the brain

The researchers also explained that this was not because the proteome mice didn't like to eat, because the foods they chose were what the mice liked to eat. The researchers also used blood tests to further reveal the underlying reasons for protein weight loss. Blood tests showed that two genes that play an important role in regulating glucose levels in the small intestine were much more active in mice in the protein group than in the starch group. Even after the food was completely absorbed, the small intestine of the proteome mice continued to transport large amounts of glucose into the portal vein. The portal vein transports blood from the digestive system and other organs to the liver.

The researchers also found that when the livers of proteomic mice detected elevated glucose levels, they reported the situation to the brain. The brain then makes a decision to suppress the desire to eat. The finding suggests that there is a wiring between the digestive system and the brain's central nervous system that specifically controls appetite. Since the human small intestine also produces glucose, the researchers said the new discovery answers the question of why protein-rich meals can reduce a person's hunger and reduce their food intake. (Editor in charge: Tian Tian)