Pasta and Bread Prepared With Durum Wheat Semolina: Effect on Post-prandial Glucose and Insulin Metabolism

Carbohydrate-based products can influence the post-prandial glycemic response differently based on their ability to be digested, absorbed and to affect rises in plasma glucose. Pasta is one of the major carbohydrate-rich foods consumed in Italy. Studies from the literature describe a lower glycemic response after the consumption of pasta compared with other wheat-based products, such as bread. Among the factors affecting post-prandial glycemia after consumption of carbohydrate-based products, the technological process represents a central one. In fact, the different technological processes alter the food matrix which can affect the post-prandial metabolism of glucose and insulin differently. Thus, the present study aims at investigating the effect induced by the principal steps of the process of pasta production on the reduction of post-prandial glycemic and insulinemic responses.