Blood Glucose

Pregnancy is a critical window for metabolic health, and early changes in blood sugar regulation can increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which affects both maternal and infant health. At the same time, the maternal gut microbiome changes throughout pregnancy and may play a role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Kefir, a fermented milk drink containing beneficial bacteria and yeasts, may be a simple dietary strategy to support metabolic health during pregnancy, but its role in preventing GDM has not been well studied. This study will test whether drinking kefir daily from mid-pregnancy until routine GDM screening can improve glucose and insulin regulation, reduce the incidence of GDM, and modulate the maternal gut microbiome and metabolites, among other outcomes. Pregnant individuals will be randomly assigned to either a kefir group or a control group receiving usual prenatal care. Researchers will collect blood glucose and insulin measures, dietary information, stool samples, and body composition data across pregnancy and postpartum to evaluate metabolic and microbiome-related changes. As one of the first studies to examine kefir as an early pregnancy intervention for GDM prevention, this study will help clarify whether a practical, food-based approach can improve maternal metabolic health. The findings may support future nutrition strategies aimed at reducing GDM risk and improving pregnancy outcomes.

The goal of this clinical trail is to learn if the hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is stimulated by slowly digestible carbohydrates (SDCs) in healthy adults. In the current study, researchers will observe the amount of SDC that results in clinically meaningful levels of GLP-1, shown by an increase in feelings of fullness and a decrease in hunger, and how long an elevated level of GLP-1 lasts after starch consumption. Researchers aim to address two questions: What amount of SDC maximizes GLP-1-mediated satiety, and does the impact to satiety continue in a second meal? The overall goal is to maximize ileal-digesting SDC's potential use as a food-based agent for weight loss. Researchers will compare 20, 40, and 60 g of raw corn starch compared to a maltodextrin control on total plasma GLP-1 concentrations, insulin, and blood glucose at baseline and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes post-consumption of SDC. Researchers will also measure satiety at baseline, 60, 120, 180 minutes and after a second meal. There will be a total of 4 study visits with a least a 7-day break between visits. At each study visit, participants will: * Consume a randomized test beverage (SDC or maltodextrin) * Receive a blood draw at 7 timepoints over 3 hrs * Take a satiety questionnaire 5 times over 3 hrs * Consume a standardized lunch 3 hrs after the test beverage consumption

The goal of this clinical study is to investigate the efficacy of a Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) liquid on postprandial glucose (PPG) excursion compared to a placebo following a standardized acute carbohydrate load. The main question it aims to answer is: Is there a difference in the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) (from 0 - 120 mins following administration) for venous blood glucose between Bragg ACV liquid and placebo following an acute carbohydrate load. Participants will \[describe the main tasks participants will be asked to consume 750 mg of Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) liquid or water and undergo a blood draw to measure glucose, insulin, and future analysis markers.

The project will consist of two studies. One study will explore the satiating properties of dairy cheese and its dairy-free substitute when consumed ad libidum, and another study will investigate their effects on postprandial glycemia. Both studies will involve healthy young adults. The secondary outcomes of these studies will be food sensory characteristics, diet-induced thermogenesis, subjective feeling of fatigue and energy, gastrointestinal comfort level, and food intake. The proposed project results will help to better understand the health properties of the cheese and its dairy-free substitute.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine postprandial responses to fruit juices.

Background: Measuring what people eat is a challenge in nutrition research. Traditional methods, like food diaries, rely on self-reporting of individuals, and suffer from poor accuracy and recall bias. Aims: This project aims to identify physiological biomarkers related to food and energy intake, which may be used to develop an objective tool to estimate individuals' food intake in future. Eating behaviours are accompanied by significant physiological changes such as skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate etc. The investigators intend to investigate whether monitoring these physiological changes can help us estimate eating behaviour, such as meal size, eating speed, and duration of meals. Study design: Ten healthy adults will be invited for two study visits at NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility. Each visit will last for approximately 2 hr. They will consume a high- and low-calorie meal designed by nutritional researchers in a randomised order. During eating events, the investigators will track their physiological changes via a bedside monitor and wearable sensors. Blood samples will be taken from participants to measure their glycaemic response. Associations between energy load, glycaemic response, and physiological changes will be investigated. Our findings may promote an accelerated development of a wearable tool for dietary assessment in future.