This randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study compared the acute metabolic effects of different infant formulas and human milk in healthy adults. Thirty-five adults consumed 600 ml of three infant formulas: intact protein (INTACT), partially hydrolyzed whey (PHw), and high-protein partially hydrolyzed whey (HPPHw). A subgroup (n=11) also consumed human milk (HM). INTACT and PHw showed similar postprandial insulinemia and glycemia, comparable to HM. However, HPPHw resulted in significantly higher postprandial insulin and glucose responses. The findings suggest that while INTACT and PHw formulas may have similar metabolic effects to HM, higher protein content in HPPHw may lead to greater insulin and glucose responses.
