Adaptation to high-fat diet accelerates emptying of fat but not carbohydrate test meals in humans

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2002 Feb;282(2):R366-71. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00190.2001.

Abstract

Previous work has shown that the gastric emptying rate in animals and humans can adapt due to previous dietary intake. The present study investigated whether adaptation in gastric emptying rate due to consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is nutrient specific in humans. Gastric emptying of high-fat and high-carbohydrate test meals was measured (using gamma scintigraphy) before and after consumption of an HFD for 14 days in eight free-living male volunteers. Visual analog ratings of appetite were recorded throughout each test. There was no effect of HFD on any parameters of gastric emptying rate (lag phase, half-emptying time, and linear emptying rate) measured for carbohydrate test meals. HFD led to an acceleration of the linear emptying rate of the high-fat test meal (0.36 vs. 0.47%/min; P < 0.05). All meals reduced appetite ratings, but there were no differences between tests. These results support our previous findings of accelerated gastric emptying of high-fat test meals following an HFD and show that these changes appear to be nutrient specific, confirming recent studies in rats.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Appetite / physiology
  • Body Composition
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Gastric Emptying / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postprandial Period

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats