Fiber intake and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

• Published in: Nutrition reviews 2013-12, Vol.71 (12), p.790-801
• Main Authors: Silva, Flávia M, Kramer, Caroline K, Almeida, Jussara C, Steemburgo, Thais, Gross, Jorge Luiz, Azevedo, Mirela J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Clinical trials; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary Fiber - pharmacology; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glycated hemoglobin; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; Glycemic index; Humans; Medical sciences; Meta-analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Systematic review; type 2 diabetes mellitus; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0029-6643; 1753-4887
• DOI: 10.1111/nure.12076

This systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) aimed to analyze the effect of fiber intake on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Databases were searched up to November 2012 using the following medical subject headings: diabetes, fiber, and randomized controlled trial. Absolute changes in glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose were reported as differences between baseline and end‐of‐study measures. Pooled estimates were obtained using random‐effects models. Of the 22,046 articles initially identified, 11 (13 comparisons; range of duration, 8−24 weeks) fulfilled the inclusion criteria, providing data from 605 patients. High‐fiber diets, including diets with foods rich in fiber (up to 42.5 g/day; four studies) or supplements containing soluble fiber (up to 15.0 g/day; nine studies), reduced absolute values of glycated hemoglobin by 0.55% (95% CI −0.96 to −0.13) and fasting plasma glucose by 9.97 mg/dL (95% CI −18.16 to −1.78). In conclusion, increased fiber intake improved glycemic control, indicating it should be considered as an adjunctive tool in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.