High Fiber Diet May Help Control Diabetes

Source: Tufts University
June 8, 2000 (Reviewed: December 9, 2002)

An article in this week's New England Journal of Medicine reports that a very high fiber diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods may help control blood glucose in people with diabetes.

In this analysis, 13 people with type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes consumed a diet that provided 24 grams of fiber a day for six weeks, and then switched to a diet that provided 50 grams of fiber a day for another six weeks. At the end of this twelve-week period, the researchers found that study participants were better able to control their blood glucose levels, and saw greater reductions in their cholesterol levels, while on the higher fiber diet.

This is not news to many scientists who study the effect of diet on diabetes. Researchers have long speculated that dietary fiber may help people control their blood glucose, and soluble fiber--found in oats, legumes, and many fruits and vegetables--can help reduce cholesterol levels. This is an important consideration for people with diabetes, whose condition puts them at an increased risk for heart disease.

The message of this study, though, is more complex than just "eat more fiber." The "lower fiber" diet used in this study provided the amount of dietary fiber recommended by the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association. In fact, many people have to make significant diet changes to work 24 grams of fiber into their meals--the average American consumer eats about half that amount. The "higher fiber" diet in this study, on the other hand, included substantially more fiber-rich bran, fruits, and vegetables than most Americans usually eat, and would require considerably more dietary changes to achieve.

This research does underscore, however, the importance of fiber in the dietary control of diabetes. Consumers interested in boosting their fiber intake can take their lead from the Food Guide Pyramid

Related Links
Nutrition Guide For People With Diabetes, American Diabetes Association
US diabetics are not always well treated
Take control of diabetes

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