Prandial

Prandial relates to a meal. Postprandial (noun form: postprandium) means after eating a meal[1] while preprandial is before a meal.

Usages of postprandial
Postprandial thermogenesis increases metabolic rate to different degree depending on food constituents.

The term postprandial is used in many contexts.

Gastronomic or social

Refers to activities performed after a meal, such as drinking cocktails or smoking.

Medical

A common use is in relation to blood sugar (or blood glucose) levels, which are normally measured 2 hours after and before eating in a postprandial glucose test. This is because blood glucose levels usually rise after a meal. The American Diabetes Association recommends a postprandial glucose level under 180 mg/dl and a preprandial plasma glucose between 70–130 mg/dl.[2]

Other uses of postprandial include:

  • Postprandial dip is a mild decrease in blood sugar after eating a big meal.
  • Postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) is high blood sugar following a meal. It can be evaluated in a postprandial glucose test.
  • Postprandial hypotension is a drastic decline in blood pressure which happens after eating a meal.[3]
  • Postprandial regurgitation is a unique symptom of rumination syndrome.
  • Postprandial thermogenesis is heat production due to metabolism after a meal, temporarily increasing the metabolic rate.
  • Postprandial abdominal distension usually refers to bloating of the abdomen following a meal, especially a large one. It is generally harmless, but tends to be uncomfortable. Instances of its sudden onset or prolonged duration can, however, be symptoms of certain severe adverse gastro-intestinal conditions such as irritable bowel disease.
    Postprandial abdominal distension is also a documented side effect of some medications.

Processes

In the postprandium, there is digestion of food in the gastrointestinal tract, followed by uptake and various metabolic processes, mainly anabolic ones (building organic molecules from smaller units). The postprandium is characterized by an increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, putting the body in a state of "rest and digest".

References
  1. MedlinePlus: Medical Dictionary. "Postprandial." Last accessed July 13, 2007.
  2. American Diabetes Association. January 2006 Diabetes Care. "Standards of Medical Care – Table 6 and Table 7, Correlation between A1C level and Mean Plasma Glucose Levels on Multiple Testing over 2–3 months." Vol. 29, Supplement 1, pp. 51–58.
  3. Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. "Postprandial Hypotension." Last revised February 2003. Last accessed July 13, 2007.
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