Evaluation of glycemic response of ten local meals commonly consumed from Chad

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of chronic hyperglycaemia accompanied by greater or lesser impairment in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, including defects in either insulin secretion or response. The function of pancreatic cells gradually declines before the onset of clinical hyperglycemia. Its prevalence is increasing everywhere, especially in the developing countries due to the consumption of unknown glycemic index (GI) foods. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the GI of some local meals from Chad. In this purpose, ten meals were investigated and 60 non-diabetic volunteers were recruited in the present study. The proximate composition and the GI of these meals were determined. Results showed that 5 main ingredients (Hibiscus esculentus, Ipomea batata, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Corchorus oletorius and seeds of Parkia biglobosa) differentiate the meals. Soluble sugars and total carbohydrates levels showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference between meals (staples and sauces). The highest value of total carbohydrate of staples was found in Peeled dried sorghum ((BD); 31.80 %) while Cooked rice ((RZ); 19.82 %) has the lowest amount. Then, total carbohydrate content of sauces was in the range of 3.95 % (Leaves of Corchorus oletorius (MLK)) and 8.76 % (Dried okra + Fresh meat (GSV)) while, Sorrel leaves + Smoked fish ((OSP); 2.51 %) and Dried okra + Smoked fish ((GSP); 1.31 %) recorded the highest and lower values of soluble sugars, respectively. Moreover, Peeled dried maize + Dried okra + Fresh meat (MD/GSV) meal showed the highest GI (115.76 %) while the lowest value was found with Cooked rice + Sorrel leaves + Smoked fish (RZ/OZP) meal (31.08 %). The GI of Peeled dried maize + Fresh okra + Fresh meat (MD/GFV) attained a peak of 140 at 40 min while the peak of 130 was obtained with Peeled dried maize + Fresh okra + Smoked fish (MD/GFP) meal at the same time compared to glucose (160 at 40 min). Five meals (OSP/RZ; MD/GFP; MD/GFV; BD/GFP and BD/MLK) were low GI foods and were the best meals for human-being in terms of preventing diabetes mellitus. The consumption of such meals can provide a substantial contribution to the improvement of the Chadian diets.