Effect of Flax, Poppy, Sesame & Salba on Postprandial Blood Glucose Response, Vascular, Appetite & Sensory Parameters

• Blood Pressure [ Time Frame: 3 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  At each visit, brachial blood pressure will be measured every 30 minutes over 3 hours.
• Arterial Stiffness [ Time Frame: 3 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  At each visit, arterial stiffness (assessed by central augmentation index) will be measured every 30 minutes over 3 hours.
• Palatability [ Time Frame: 3 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  At each visit, participants will record their subjective ratings using a 100mm visual analogue scale and these ratings will be combined into a total subjective palatability score.
• Personal Preference [ Time Frame: 3 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  At each visit, participants will record their subjective ratings using a 100mm visual analogue scale and these ratings will be combined into a total subjective personal preference score.
• Satiety [ Time Frame: 3 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  At each visit, participants will record their subjective ratings using a 100mm visual analogue scale and these ratings will be combined into a total subjective appetite score.

Consumption of whole grains has been heavily endorsed by both government and major health agencies, as evidenced in Health Canada's Food Guide, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Pyramid, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation's healthy eating guide. Whole grains have been championed for their proposed cardioprotective and weight control effects as suggested by epidemiological studies. The health benefits of whole grain products may be attributable to their nutrient composition, which contains dietary fibre, protein and several essential nutrients. There has also been a concurrent increase in seed consumption. Seeds have a similar and potentially superior nutritional composition to whole grains and they are rich in mammalian lignans and polyunsaturated fats, especially the highly valued omega-3 fatty acids. Preliminary studies on seeds have shown that they impart health benefits similar to those imparted by whole grains. Consumer choices regarding seed consumption may be based on their potential health benefits. Furthermore, they may also be affected by subjective sensory factors, such as appearance, taste and pre-conceived perceptions. Therefore, this study will compare the health properties of four seeds and their effects on appetite and sensory parameters in healthy individuals. These four seeds will be that of flax, poppy and sesame, due to their popularity and consumption as well as Salba, which has also recently received much attention for its associated health benefits.

• Dietary Supplement: Salba
  25g of ground Salba baked into a bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrate (50g), total dietary fibre (15g), and calories (494.5 kcal) with the addition of flour, inulin or canola oil. One of five muffins (Salba, Poppy, Sesame, Flax, Bran) will be administered at each visit.
  Other Name: Salba hispanica L.
• Dietary Supplement: Poppy
  25g of ground Poppy Seeds baked into a bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrate (50g), total dietary fibre (15g), and calories (494.5 kcal) with the addition of flour, inulin or canola oil. One of five muffins (Salba, Poppy, Sesame, Flax, Bran) will be administered at each visit.
  Other Name: Papaver somniferum L.
• Dietary Supplement: Flaxseed
  25g of ground Flaxseed baked into a bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrate (50g), total dietary fibre (15g), and calories (494.5 kcal) with the addition of flour, inulin or canola oil. One of five muffins (Salba, Poppy, Sesame, Flax, Bran) will be administered at each visit.
  Other Name: Linum Usitatissimum
• Dietary Supplement: Sesame
  25g of ground Sesame Seeds baked into a bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrate (50g), total dietary fibre (15g), and calories (494.5 kcal) with the addition of flour, inulin or canola oil. One of five muffins (Salba, Poppy, Sesame, Flax, Bran) will be administered at each visit.
  Other Name: Sesamum indicum
• Dietary Supplement: Wheat Bran
  Bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrate (50g), total dietary fibre (15g), and calories (494.5 kcal). One of five muffins (Salba, Poppy, Sesame, Flax, Bran) will be administered at each visit.
  Other Name: Quaker Bran Muffin Mix

• Experimental: Salba
  25g of ground Salba baked into a bran muffin
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Salba
• Experimental: Poppy
  25g of ground poppy seeds baked into a bran muffin
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Poppy
• Experimental: Flaxseed
  25g of ground flaxseed baked into a bran muffin
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Flaxseed
• Experimental: Sesame
  25g of ground sesame seeds baked into a bran muffin
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Sesame
• Placebo Comparator: Wheat Bran
  Bran muffin matched for total available carbohydrates, total dietary fibre and calories
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: Wheat Bran

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18-65 years
• normal glycemic response
• BMI between 18.5 - 25 kg/m2
• peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressure < 140mmHg and < 90mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• known history of liver or kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke or myocardial infarctions, thyroid disease, Celiac disease/gastrointestinal disease, or AIDS;
• allergies to any of the test products
• using prescription medications or Natural Health Products
• any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, might jeopardize the health and safety of the subject or study personnel, or adversely affect the study results