Effects of high carbohydrate and high protein meals on plasma cortisol and mood in normal women

grantor: University of TorontoTo investigate the effects of macronutrient intake on plasma cortisol levels and mood states, normal women were fed high carbohydrate and high protein lunchtime meals on consecutive days. Following meal consumption, plasma cortisol levels were measured at 30 minute intervals, in addition to mood states using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X). Both meals resulted in changes in plasma cortisol and mood. Following meal consumption, post-prandial plasma cortisol initially rose and, then, steadily fell. The clearest post-prandial mood change was a decrease in arousal, as indicated by decreases in POSITIVE AFFECT and increases in FATIGUE. The only significant difference attributable to meal composition was a MEAL x TIME interaction, indicating that plasma cortisol rose earlier following carbohydrate (at 30 minutes) than following protein (60 minutes) meals. While no statistically significant correlation between hormonal and mood responses was found, a larger sample size is necessary to investigate this further.M.Sc