Whey proteins have already been demonstrated to reduce blood sugar response to meals in healthy subjects, but this new study indicates that the insulin and glucose response benefits may be available to most people.
When the diabetic subjects took a whey protein supplement at the same time as a high GI breakfast or lunch, they had lower blood sugar response and higher insulin response.
The mechanism for whey protein's action on insulin levels is not yet clear, although the team cited previous findings suggesting that certain amino acids and hormones in whey protein seem to be involved. What is more clear however is that it's not just any protein that has this blood sugar balancing effect, the study found that neither ham nor beef provided the benefits when taken as part of the meals.