Comparison of 2 diets with either 25 or 10 energy% gelatin on energy expenditure, substrate balances and appetite profile

SummaryBackground & aimsIncreasing the protein content of a diet results in increased satiety and energy expenditure. It is unknown to what extent gelatin has such effects. We compared satiety and energy expenditure in subjects on 2 single-protein diets with either 25% or 10% of energy (En%) from gelatin.MethodsDuring 36 h in a respiration chamber, 24 healthy subjects (BMI 22.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2; age 25 ± 7 y) received subject specific isoenergetic diets: 25En% (25/20/55En%-protein/fat/carbohydrate) and 10En% gelatin diet (10/35/55En%-protein/fat/carbohydrate), in a randomised crossover design. Three days before, subjects consumed a diet with similar macronutrient composition at home.ResultsThe 25En% compared with the 10En% gelatin diet resulted in a 2.1 ± 1.0% higher 24-h energy expenditure (9.20 ± 0.23 vs. 9.01 ± 0.23 MJ/d, P < 0.05) and higher sleeping metabolic rate (6.70 ± 0.17 vs. 6.53 ± 0.18 MJ/d, P < 0.05), whereas subjects were in a higher protein balance (0.30 ± 0.04 vs. −0.16 ± 0.03 MJ/d, P < 0.0001), a lower fat balance (−0.87 ± 0.18 vs. 0.22 ± 0.15 MJ/d, P < 0.0001), and a more positive carbohydrate balance (1.33 ± 0.18 vs. 0.88 ± 0.16 MJ/d, P < 0.01). Hunger and desire to eat were lower after lunch and dinner on the 25En% compared with the 10En% gelatin diet (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn the short-term a 25En% compared with a 10En% gelatin diet boosts energy expenditure, promotes a positive protein and negative fat balance, and reduces hunger.