O058 - EFFECT OF A PROTEIN–CARBOHYDRATE FORMULA ON GASTRIC EMPTYING IN OLDER ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

O058

EFFECT OF A PROTEIN–CARBOHYDRATE FORMULA ON GASTRIC EMPTYING IN OLDER ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

R. R. Falcão¹, M. V. T. da Silva¹, L. G. Ramos¹, J. M. Ricci¹, L. H. D. S. Rocha¹, S. M. D. Sanches², L. D. G. Mota², S. D. V. Generoso³, M. I. T. D. Correia^3,*

¹Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, ²Department of Anatomy and Imaging, ³Nutrition Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Rationale: Carbohydrate-rich beverages are well-studied, but carbohydrate and protein formulations remain underexplored, especially in the elderly, who frequently present with reduced gastric emptying. This study compares gastric emptying (GE) after ingestion of a formula containing carbohydrates and proteins versus a formula containing only carbohydrates in this population.

Methods: Ongoing randomized, double-masked, crossover study with a 7–14-day washout. After an 8-hour fast, participants receive either Drink A (carbohydrate + protein) or Drink B (carbohydrate only), both labeled with 1 mCi of ⁹⁹ᵐTc-sodium phytate. Scintigraphic imaging was performed at baseline and hourly for 4 hours. The %GE was calculated based on gastric regions of interest and radioactive counts relative to baseline. No intake was allowed during the protocol. Subjective sensations (hunger, satiety, thirst, headache) and gastrointestinal symptoms (heartburn, nausea) are assessed using numeric rating scales. Capillary glucose was measured at baseline, 60, 120, and 240 minutes.

Results: Seventeen participants (mean age 69 years; 70.6% female) were analyzed. The carbohydrate–protein beverage showed significantly greater GE at later time points. Median %GE (A vs. B) was 43.61% vs. 45.03% at 1 hour (p > 0.05), 81.98% vs. 68.53% at 2 hours (p < 0.0001), and 94.86% vs. 87.06% at 3 hours (p < 0.0001). Peak glycemia occurred at 1 hour and was lower for Drink A (164 mg/dL vs. 194 mg/dL; p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in subjective sensations or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion: The carbohydrate–protein formula promotes faster gastric emptying from 2 hours onward, and reduced postprandial glycemia, without affecting symptoms. These findings support its use to shorten preoperative fasting in older adults.

Disclosure of Interest: R. Falcão: None declared, M. V. da Silva: None declared, L. Ramos: None declared, J. Ricci: None declared, L. H. Rocha: None declared, S. Sanches: None declared, L. Mota: None declared, S. Generoso: None declared, M. I. T. D. Correia Grant / Research Support from: Project funded by Nestlé