High-fiber diet: its role in the treatment of diabetes mellitus reviewed

Abstract

Dietary manipulation has long been a mainstay of treatment of adult-onset diabetes. Weight loss and a diet low in refined carbohydrate have often allowed either reduction or discontinuation of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin. The evidence presented in this review suggests that complex carbohydrates and high-fiber compounds can play a significant role in this dietary manipulation and merit further study. The mechanism by which hyperglycemia is ameliorated may be the increased viscosity of intestinal contents with slower small bowel transit time resulting in slow, but sustained absorption of glucose.