Effect of carbohydrate and protein solutions consumed during a moderate-intensity exercise on post-exercise appetite

This study aimed to investigate whether co-ingestion of carbohydrate and protein during exercise affect the post-exercise ad libitum food intake. Twelve healthy active male participants (mean ± SD, age: 20 ± 1; height: 176 ± 6 cm; weight: 63.6 ± 5.3 kg; VO2peak: 51.2 ± 7.1 ml/kg/min) completed three main experimental trials in a randomized cross-over design. In each trial, the participants completed 1 h of ergometer cycling at 60% VO2peak, followed by 2 h recovery. The participants were required to consume one of three solutions every 15 min during exercise: distilled water (DW), carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CE), and carbohydrate-electrolyte-protein solution (CEP). The energy was matched between the two latter solutions. The CHO-to-protein ratio in CEP was 2:1. At the end of recovery period, participants were provided with pizza lunch ad libitum, and the amount consumed was recorded. Several subjective feelings, appetite scores and blood glucose were determined during the experimental trials. No differences were found in either the amount of consumed pizza (DW vs. CE vs. CEP: 607 ± 128 vs. 592 ± 119 vs. 599 ± 125 g, P = 0.845) or the appetite score before pizza was consumed (DW vs. CE vs. CEP: 14 ± 9 vs. 12 ± 14 vs. 14 ± 10, P = 0.357) among the three trials. The blood glucose concentrations during exercise were higher in the CE and CEP trials than in the DW trial. In conclusion, different solutions consumed during a 1 h moderate-intensity exercise in the present study did not affect post-exercise appetite.