Effect of Different Types of Food on Metabolic Rate in Rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ingestion of 2 different classes of the three macronutrients-carbohydrates, proteins and fats on the metabolic rate, and to compare the degree at which they stimulate the metabolic rate.
Twelve Sprague Dawley rats weighing 140-200 gm were divided into three groups. Carbohydrate fed group, Protein fed group and Fat fed group. Each group of rat served as its own control. The rats were allowed free access to the cooked food for 24 hours and stayed for 12 hours on each occasion before the metabolic rate was measured. The method used in measuring the metabolic rate was by indirect calorimetry.
Results showed that the different food- carbohydrate, protein and fat ingestion each, caused a significant increase (p<0.0001) when compared with the control metabolic rate. Comparing the effect of the three, protein ingestion caused the greatest increase in metabolic rate from 21.64 ± 0.53 cal/hr/m2 in control to 38.54 ± 2.29 cal/hr/m2 after ingestion of soya beans. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed when the metabolic rate of the two foods in each of the groups was compared. .
Also it was concluded that a large meal size would stimulate the metabolic rate to the same extent as a small meal size provided the minimum requirement is met.


Keywords: Metabolic rate, Carbohydrate Protein, Fat, Food.

NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 45-48