The impact of an acute high polyphenol, high fiber meal with and without aerobic exercise on metabolism in middle‐aged and older adults: A pilot study

A high fat, high carbohydrate (HFHC) meal can induce adverse triglyceride (TRG), glucose, and metabolic load index (MLI; TRG + glucose) in middle-aged and older adults. A bout of exercise (EX) or an acute meal may attenuate these postprandial responses. This study aimed to determine whether a high polyphenol, high fiber meal with and without EX could reduce postprandial TRG, glucose, and MLI in this population. In a randomized crossover design, 10 healthy adults (56.9 ± 6.9 years, 6F, 4M) completed four conditions: (1) traditional HFHC, (2) T-HFHC + EX, (3) HFHC meal with polyphenols and fiber (P-HFHC), (4) a P-HFHC + EX. Each participant consumed 12 kcals/kg body mass. The P-HFHC was made with plant-based ingredients to match the macronutrient composition of the T-HFHC. EX, performed 30 min post-meal, expended 25% of kcals consumed. Blood TRG and glucose were measured for 6 h post-meal, and MLI was calculated. There was a significant time*condition interaction for TRG (p = 0.038), glucose (p = 0.001), and MLI (p = 0.026). The P-HFHC condition had lower TRGs at 4 and 5 h (p = 0.031, p = 0.050). These findings suggest that a minimally processed meal or EX may reduce CVD risk in middle-aged and older adults.