2.3. Study Methodology and Design
TG
The study was conducted using a single-blind, randomized crossover approach. Each test meal was consumed by all participants in a random sequence. Prior to each study visit (24 h), participants were instructed to refrain from engaging in vigorous physical activity, consuming alcoholic beverages, and consuming foods containing oats or high in dietary fiber (such as beans, whole grain bread, fiber-enriched pasta, and whole-cereal kernels). The participants were instructed to establish a standardized food routine before each study day. In order to ensure consistency, participants were instructed to provide a record of their dietary intake from the day preceding each study visit. In addition, the participants were given specific instructions to consume dinner meals that were standardized for each individual at 18:00 on the day preceding each study visit. Furthermore, they were instructed to consume a standardized evening meal at 21:00, which consisted of a commercially available white wheat bread with a topping of their choice. It is important to note that the same topping was used on all pre-experimental evenings.The test products were provided in the form of breakfast meals. Each of the products was tested with a one-week interval between each test. The participant arrived at the study center at 07:30 after 10 h of fasting during the night. Capillary blood samples were collected, followed by the consumption of a test meal at time zero (0 min), with a designated consumption time of 10–12 min. Subsequent capillary blood samples were collected at specific time intervals of 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 min after the start of the breakfast meal. Following the blood test conducted at the 210-min mark, a standardized lunch was provided, and further blood samples were collected at intervals of 225, 240, 255, 270, 300, and 330 min following the start of breakfast. The amount of blood drawn at a specific sampling point did not exceed 800 µL (for insulin, 200 µL; for TG and gut hormones combined, 600 µL). That equals a total of 5 mL of blood per subject per study day. Throughout the duration of the trial, the participants were confined to the clinical facility and were strictly prohibited from consuming any food or beverages, with the exception of the breakfast and lunch meals that were provided to them. The individuals were instructed to minimize their engagement in physical activities to the greatest extent feasible.