Effects of Whey Protein Concentrate on Glycemic Status, Lipid Profile, and Blood Pressure in Overweight/Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: Due to insufficient data on the metabolic consequences of long-term whey protein consumption, in this trial, we aimed to examine the effects of whey protein, as fortified bread, on glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure in overweight/obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: In a 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 48 overweight/ obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated into either whey protein (bread fortified by 20 g whey protein concentrate) or placebo (unfortified bread) group. At pre- and postintervention phase, physical activity, blood pressure, serum levels of glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C, lipid profile, and dietary intakes were assessed. The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance was used for the estimation of insulin resistance.

Results: Totally 35 patients completed the trial. At the endpoint, there were no significant betweengroup differences for the assessed glycemic parameters (P > .05), except glycosylated hemoglobin A1C, which was higher in the whey protein group after adjusting for the confounders and baseline values (P < .05). Fasting blood glucose was significantly increased in whey protein group (P < .05). There was a significant increase in HOMA-IR and serum level of insulin in both whey protein and placebo groups (P < .05). There were no significant within- or between-group changes in the lipid profile and blood pressure of the patients (P > .05).

Conclusion: Three-month consumption of the whey protein concentrate fortified bread has no effects on lipid profile and blood pressure. It may cause some undesirable changes in some glycemic indices among overweight/obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cite this article as: Nouri M, TarighatEsfanjani A, Sadra V, et al. Effects of whey protein concentration on glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure in overweight/obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Turk J Endocrinol Metab. 2022;26(3):148-155.