Background: According to the glucostatic theory and the macronutrient balance concept, blood glucose and liver glycogen concentrations are important mediators of hunger and satiety. Results from acute postprandial studies are, however, still conflicting.
Objective: To investigate the associations between appetite sensations on the one hand and macronutrient intake and measures of glucose metabolism on the other hand.
Methods: Six group-means from three different studies (a total of 64 test meals) were tested in linear regression analyses.
Results: Positive correlations were found between delta-mean postprandial satiety and serving weight (r = 0.84, p < 0.05), and carbohydrate content (g) (r = 0.86, p < 0.05) of the meals. Furthermore, delta-mean satiety correlated to delta-AUC for plasma glucose (r = 0.92, p < 0.01), lactate (r = 0.98, p < 0.001), insulin (r = 0.95, p< 0.01), noradrenaline (r = 0.97, p < 0.01), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (r = 0.93), p < 0.01) and net carbohydrate oxidation (r = 0.86, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Total serving weight and carbohydrate content of the meals as well as postprandial glucose metabolism seem to be involved in the changes of postprandial hunger and satiety sensations after a meal. Due to the covariation between the single variables it is not possible, however, to distinguish between the different factors involved.