Effect of Naturally Occurring Dietary Fibre in Western Foods on Blood Glucose

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Abstract
A reduction in the amount of dietary fiber is implicated in the etiology of diabetes mellitus. The short term effect of naturally occurring dietary fiber (mainly cellulose and hemicelluloses) was evaluated in the Western diet on carbohydrate absorption. Two equicaloric test meals were designed, each containing the same amount and types of absorbable carbohydrate and similar proportions of fat and protein. One meal was composed of salad vegetables and apple and the other of simple sugars and starch added to a gelatin and cream cheese base. Thirteen normals and 12 maturity onset diabetics consumed both test meals and neither group showed any reduction in the post-prandial blood glucose levels or immunoreactive insulin concentrations on the fiber containing meal. Thus naturally occurring dietary fiber in unrefined foods commonly consumed in Australia does not attenuate carbohydrate absorption in short term studies.