High Fiber Diet for Diabetes

A high fiber diet may be beneficial for glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes, according to a recent study.

A high fiber diet incorporates large amounts of dietary fiber into the daily diet. Dietary fiber is found in grains, fruits and vegetables, and may also be referred to as roughage or bulk. Animal products, including meat and dairy, do not contain dietary fiber. Various health benefits have been associated with a high fiber diet; however, additional research is necessary before firm conclusions can be made.

In a recent study, researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber, whole grains and vegetarian diets on patients with type 2 diabetes. In total, 14 well-designed clinical trials were included.

The researchers found that increased daily consumption of dietary fiber, whole grains, vegetables and the use of vegan diets were associated with improved glucose metabolism. Plant-based diets were associated with further improvements in body weight and blood lipids.

The authors concluded that a diet rich in fiber, vegetables and whole grains may be beneficial for both healthy individuals and those with type 2 diabetes. Further improvements in insulin sensitivity were seen in those following a plant-based diet. Additional research is necessary to further evaluate these findings.

For more information about a high fiber diet, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

References
Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
Wolfram T, Ismail-Beigi F. Efficacy of high-fiber diets in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Endocr Pract. 2011 Jan-Feb;17(1):132-42. View Abstract

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