When healthy people eat a carb-rich meal, their muscles get more blood flow and their blood vessels relax, even though their body also sends signals to tighten blood vessels—this might help their body absorb sugar from the meal better.
Scientific Claim
Ingestion of a carbohydrate meal in healthy adults is associated with a 47% increase in skeletal muscle blood flow and a 39% decrease in vascular resistance, coinciding with a rise in serum insulin to 588±72 pmol/L, suggesting a coordinated physiological response that may support postprandial glucose uptake.
Original Statement
“Following the carbohydrate meal, the serum insulin concentration increased to 588±72pmol/l. This was associated with a 47% increase in skeletal muscle blood flow (P < 0.001), a 39% fall in vascular resistance (P < 0.001) and a 57% increase in sympathetic activity (P < 0.001).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The abstract uses 'associated with' correctly, but the claim is presented as a universal fact. The study design (observational, no randomization) cannot support causal interpretation. Verb strength must be conservative.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Eating a carb meal makes your body release insulin, which tells your muscles to open up their blood vessels, letting more blood flow in—this helps your body absorb sugar from the meal, even though your body also tries to tighten some blood vessels at the same time.