A study published on October 8 in Diabetes found that mice given olive oil before an oral glucose dose had a smaller early rise in blood sugar than mice given water first or olive oil afterward. The olive oil also slowed how quickly the stomach emptied. The result offers a possible explanation for how nutrient order affects the body, but it does not show that the same approach benefits people.
What did the researchers test?
According to Kyoto University’s research summary, the researchers studied mice that had fasted overnight. One group received water followed by glucose. A second received olive oil, then glucose 15 minutes later. A third received glucose, then olive oil after 15 minutes.
The team measured blood glucose, hormone responses and the rate at which the stomach emptied. Compared with the other groups, the olive-oil-first group showed a smaller early glucose rise and slower stomach emptying. The researchers also observed similar effects in mouse models of diabetes.
What might explain the result?
Further experiments implicated several hormone and nerve signals, including glucagon, GLP-1 and a pathway involving the vagus nerve. The findings suggest that these signals work together to influence how quickly the stomach passes glucose onward. They do not establish that olive oil is a treatment.
What remains unknown for people?
The experiment used mice given oil and glucose, not people eating ordinary meals. It measured an early biological response, not whether a dietary change prevents or treats diabetes. The researchers say the findings support testing meal sequencing in humans. Until such studies answer that question, the mouse result is not a reason to drink olive oil before carbohydrates or change diabetes care.
