Type 2 Diabetes & Weight Management
In the UK, it is estimated that nearly 5 million people have type 2 diabetes, but a huge 13.6 million people are at increased risk of the disease. However, research shows that, for some people, lifestyle interventions, including diet, physical activity and weight management can be very effective in reducing risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50%1.
Quorn research
Quorn mycoprotein is high in fibre and protein, low in total and saturated fat and contains no cholesterol. It is also low in energy in comparison to animal protein sources. This makes it a great addition to a healthy, sustainable and balanced diet.
For over 35 years, Quorn has been conducting research on the health benefits of Quorn mycoprotein, collaborating with world-class academic institutions such as the University of Exeter and Imperial College with who we have studied the impact of mycoprotein consumption on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.
Type 2 Diabetes Spotlight: Key messages
- Quorn mycoprotein could improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity
- Quorn mycoprotein is high in fibre, particularly beta-glucan
- Quorn mycoprotein does not increase risk of type 2 diabetes
What does the science say about Quorn mycoprotein and type 2 diabetes?
The potential of mycoprotein in glycaemic control has been recognised for over twenty years. Turnbull et al. (1995) reported that both glycaemia and insulinaemia were reduced when taken as an oral glucose-tolerance-test2. Other investigations in humans demonstrated that mycoprotein ingestion could improve acute postprandial glycaemic control, whilst Quorn mycoprotein can increase insulin sensitivity by 8% compared to chicken3.
More recently, a systematic review of 5 randomised control trials (RCTs) in a total of 122 healthy adult subjects investigated the effects of mycoprotein on blood sugar, insulin levels, and energy intake in humans. The review found that, compared to animal-derived proteins, acute (one time consumption) intake of mycoprotein reduces energy intake and blood insulin levels, and may decrease insulin output, in healthy and overweight adults, although there was no clear effect on blood glucose levels4.
Another review, reported that substituting meat or fish for mycoprotein had no significant impact on blood sugar levels, suggesting that a diet based on mycoprotein does not increase the risk of diabetes compared to animal-derived proteins5.
More recently, data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey was reviewed to investigate the association of mycoprotein intake with diet quality, nutrient, energy intake and non-communicable disease (NCD) risk. Results comparing mycoprotein consumers with non-consumers showed that mycoprotein intake is associated with lower glycaemic markers as well as lower energy density intake, and higher fibre and diet quality scores, but higher total and food energy intake6.
Clearly, there is a need for more studies to further understand the acute and habitual, long-term effects of mycoprotein ingestion on glycaemic control, but some potential mechanisms are already being explored. In particular, the role of fibre in Quorn mycoprotein in delaying gastric emptying has been proposed as one such mechanism4. Slowing down carbohydrate digestion and absorption into the blood reduces the glycaemic response. Quorn mycoprotein is high in fibre (containing 6g fibre per 100g), 80% of which is beta-glucan, [TH1] a soluble source of fibre, and the remainder chitin (an insoluble fibre). Therefore, it is possible that the beta-glucan fraction of mycoprotein fibre would be responsible, but this needs further investigation.
An additional, plausible mechanism could be that, when compared to milk with the same protein content, the consumption of mycoprotein leads to a more sustained and slower release of amino acids into blood, as a result of mycoprotein’s structural complexity7. This may explain the reduction in insulin release reported in the literature, since amino acids stimulate insulin release4.
Weight Management Spotlight: Key messages
- Mycoprotein may have a significant impact on satiety, reducing energy intake
- The unique fibre content of mycoprotein may suppress appetite
- Taken together, the effect of mycoprotein on satiety and appetite suppression may help in weight management
What does the science say about Quorn mycoprotein and weight management?
According to Diabetes UK8, obesity is the most significant risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes; eating a healthy, balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle is promoted as a suitable way to reduce risk.
Two randomised controlled trials have investigated the impact of ingestion of mycoprotein and its potential satiety effect on energy intake and markers of appetite and insulin response.
In the first RCT, subjects consumed either a chicken or mycoprotein-based meal during a free-eating task, and again 24 hours later. Results showed that eating the meal containing mycoprotein lead to a decreased total energy intake compared with a chicken meal; energy intake was significantly reduced the day of the study by 24% and the next day by 16.5%9. The mycoprotein meal also resulted in significantly improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced serum insulin concentrations by 8–21%. The authors propose that mycoprotein’s unique fibre content, both its physical structure and its effect on biomolecule synthesis during digestion, may provide a mechanistic explanation for the improved insulin sensitivity and appetite suppression in overweight and obese adult subjects.
A second RCT investigated the effect of mycoprotein on energy intake, appetite regulation, and metabolic phenotypes of 55 healthy overweight and obese adults. Participants were given an ad libitum meal of low (44g), medium (88g), or high (132g) amounts of Quorn mycoprotein or a macronutrient-matched (same amounts of carbohydrate, fat, and protein) chicken meal, and energy intake was assessed. Results showed that mycoprotein reduced energy intake by 10% compared with chicken at the high content and all mycoprotein meals reduced insulin concentrations compared to chicken meals3.
Taken together, these studies suggest a promising role for mycoprotein-based meals in weight management and type 2 diabetes, however longer-term studies are required to test this hypothesis and further explore potential mechanisms.
Incorporating Quorn mycoprotein into a dietary plan
Whilst a healthy diet, alongside other lifestyle factors, is important in preventing or minimising risk of cardiovascular disease, there is no one food or nutrient that can act as a silver bullet10.
Quorn® products can play a key role in a healthy and balanced diet for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters aiming for a more plant-based diet alike. Thanks to its meat-like texture, it’s easy to swap out meat for Quorn in family favourites such as Spaghetti Bolognese, Chilli or Tikka Curry.
Want to find out more?
Whether you’re interested in incorporating Quorn mycoprotein into your diet or looking to support clients we have a range of resources for you. Our resources are free to browse, download and use and have been factchecked by our nutrition experts. Want to know what experts we work with? Click here to go to our dedicated Meet The Experts page.
Last updated February 2023. Next review due February 2025.
- 1 Diabetes UK. (2017). Diabetes statistics. [online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics
- 2 Turnbull, W.H. and Ward, T. (1995). Mycoprotein reduces glycemia and insulinemia when taken with an oral-glucose-tolerance test. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 61(1), pp.135–140. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/61/1/135/4651515
- 3 Bottin, J.H., Swann, J.R., Cropp, E., Chambers, E.S., Ford, H.E., Ghatei, M.A. and Frost, G.S. (2016). Mycoprotein reduces energy intake and postprandial insulin release without altering glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine concentrations in healthy overweight and obese adults: a randomised-controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 116(2), pp.360–374. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27198187/
- 4 Cherta-Murillo, A., Lett, A.M., Frampton, J., Chambers, E.S., Finnigan, T.J.A. and Frost, G.S. (2020). Effects of mycoprotein on glycaemic control and energy intake in humans: a systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 123(12), pp.1321–1332. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32100651/
- 5 Coelho, M.O.C., Monteyne, A.J., Dirks, M.L., Finnigan, T.J.A., Stephens, F.B. and Wall, B.T. (2020). Daily mycoprotein consumption for 1 week does not affect insulin sensitivity or glycaemic control but modulates the plasma lipidome in healthy adults: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 125(2), pp.147–160. Available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/daily-mycoprotein-consumption-for-one-week-does-not-affect-insulin-sensitivity-or-glycaemic-control-but-modulates-the-plasma-lipidome-in-healthy-adults-a-randomised-controlled-trial/92B512B9790191075F826A8789A6EA21
- 6 Cherta-Murillo, A. and Frost, G.S. (2021). The association of mycoprotein-based food consumption with diet quality, energy intake and non-communicable diseases’ risk in the UK adult population using the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) years 2008/2009–2016/2017: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Nutrition, [online] 127(11), pp.1685–1694. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34134798/
- 7 Dunlop, M., Kilroe, S., Bowtell, J., Finnigan, T., Salmon, D. and Wall, B. (2017). Mycoprotein represents a bioavailable and insulinotropic non-animal-derived dietary protein source: a dose-response study. British Journal Nutrition, [online] 118(9), pp.673-685. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29017627/
- 8 Diabetes UK. (2020). 10 tips for healthy eating if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. [online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/ten-tips-for-healthy-eating
- 9 Turnbull, W., Walton, J. and Leeds, A. (1993). Acute effects of mycoprotein on subsequent energy intake and appetite variables. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, [online] 58(4), pp.507-512. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/58/4/507/4715997
- 10 NHS. (2023). Cardiovascular Disease. [online]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/.