Aim of the study: Momordica charantia Linn. Cucurbitaceae (MC), has been used to treat glycemic impairment in humans for centuries. The objective of this study was to determine the acute effect of MC on postprandial glucose levels, energy expenditure/fuel mixture and appetite in overweight men.
Materials and methods: Five healthy overweight men were supplemented on three randomized conditions where (1) no MC (placebo), (2) 50 mg/kg body weight (MC50) or (3) 100 mg/kg body weight of freeze dried MC were administered orally prior to a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured before and during the OGTT. Energy expenditure as well as carbohydrate and lipid oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry. Visual analogue scales were used to rate appetite profile.
Results: Plasma glucose and insulin levels significantly increased during the OGTT (p < or =0.05) but no significant difference was observed between experimental conditions. Energy expenditure, carbohydrate and lipid oxidation rates as well as appetite profile did not differ between experimental conditions.
Conclusions: These results suggest that from an acute standpoint, a freeze dried MC extraction in its present dose form does not affect plasma glucose/insulin levels, energy expenditure, substrate mixture and appetite scores following an oral glucose load in non-diabetic overweight men.