High Fiber Makes a Difference in Controlling Diabetes

R.E. Post of Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston and colleagues led the study, finding that dietary fiber can both reduce fasting blood glucose and improve HbA1c in type 2 patients. The authors say previous studies did not come to the same conclusion as to how dietary fiber would affect the condition of type 2 diabetes. The authors analyzed data from 15 randomized relevant studies on dietary fiber and improvement of type 2 diabetes recorded from Jan 1980 through Dec 2010. They said, “The overall mean difference of fiber versus placebo was a reduction of fasting blood glucose of 16mg/dL. or 0.85 mmol/L. Dietary fiber as an intervention also had an effect on HbA1c over placebo, with an overall mean difference of a decrease in HbA1c of 0.26%.” They concluded fiber supplementation or increased intake of fiber in type 2 diabetes patients can reduce fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Jan, 2012