- For many years, we have known that there is a strong link between type 2 diabetes and obesity, also known as “diabetes.”
- Diabetes is currently treated with a combination of different options, including healthy lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet, and medications such as metformin.
- A new study has found that eating a healthy, fiber-rich diet may provide better results for people with diabetes than taking metformin.
Healthy lifestyle modifications to treat diabetes include sufficient physical activity and a healthy diet.
A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology reports that a healthy diet rich in fiber may provide better results for people with diabetes than metformin.
For this study, researchers recruited 48 adults who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and were also overweight or obese.
Study participants were randomly assigned to eat a drug-free high-fiber diet or take metformin alone for 84 days.
At day 84, researchers found that participants on the high-fiber diet had a lower average baseline-adjusted BMI and lower hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels — a test that checks your average blood sugar level over the past 3 months — compared to those in the metformin group.
Additionally, they found that participants in the high-fiber diet group also had changes in their gut microbiome, compared to the metformin-only group.
Previous studies show that a diet high in fat can lead to an increase in Bilophile Wadsworthia in the microbiome, and the proliferation of this bacteria can lead to metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes.
Medical news today had the opportunity to speak about this study with Mir Ali, MD, bariatric surgeon, bariatric medicine specialist and medical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Ali, who was not involved in this study, said he was not surprised by its findings.
“We have known for a long time that diet plays a very important role in the management of diabetes and, of course, obesity,” he continued. “This is just proof that it can make a significant difference.” »
MNT also spoke with Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, who was also not involved in this study.
Richard said the results of this study remind us that food is not just fuel, but also information for the body and its microbial community.
“The results provide an interesting window into how dietary fiber may influence the gut microbiome and microbial metabolism,” she explained.
“My takeaway, and I confirm it every day in my office, is that fiber deserves a much larger place in the diabetes care conversation as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment, not as a replacement for prescribed medications. Diet and medications are not competing strategies, but often critically important complementary components of care.”
– Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN
Richard said that due to the small number of participants in the study, she would caution readers not to jump to conclusions by interpreting this as evidence that fiber is better than metformin.
“This was a small, single-center study involving 48 participants, of which only 12 were assigned to metformin, and the dietary intervention included prescribed fiber products and dietary counseling,” she detailed. “We need larger, longer studies to understand how these findings translate into daily eating habits and long-term outcomes.” »
Ali agreed and said he would like to see a larger study delineating which types of fiber are more beneficial than others, such as fruits and vegetables.
“There’s a lot of variability, and when you’re just talking about a high-fiber diet, that’s a broad category,” he continued. “So more research is needed into what types of foods may be most beneficial and what exactly is happening in the body that improves these conditions.”
For readers who want to add more fiber to their diet, Richard advised first thinking about fiber as a family of nutrients, not a single substance.
“Soluble, insoluble, viscous, fermentable and tough starch fibers have different properties,” she explained. “Food sources often provide several types at once, as well as polyphenols, minerals, vitamins and other compounds that can work together.”
“I encourage people to think about adding fiber-rich foods that they enjoy, rather than completely overhauling their diet overnight,” added Richard. “Fiber is found in a wide variety of plant foods, so there are many ways to incorporate it into familiar meals and cultural food traditions.”
Richard provided some practical points to start adding more fiber to the diet:
- “Give beans, lentilsAnd peas a regular place at the table. Add lentils to soup or chili, beans to tacos or salads, or chickpeas to a bowl of cereal. If you don’t have time to cook dried beans (often very economical), frozen or canned beans are convenient, affordable, and also an option.
- Choose whole fruits more often. Berries, pears, apples and oranges provide fiber as well as water and other beneficial nutrients. Enjoy the whole fruit, after washing, rather than relying on juice or fruits packed in syrup.
- Try to trade whole grains for refined grains. Try oats for breakfast, barley in soup, wild rice, whole grain bread or whole grain pasta mixed with your regular pasta. These provide beta-glucan, a soluble fiber associated with improved cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.
- Add vegetables where appropriate. Toss greens into eggs, add frozen veggies to a stir-fry, or make a meal around roasted veggies. Fresh, frozen and canned options can all help.
- Add seasoning, flavor and goodness with these powerful plants. Onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus and chicory root contain fiber such as inulin and fructans that may support certain microbes.
- Don’t forget nuts and seeds. Sprinkle chia seeds, ground flaxseeds or toasted nuts into oatmeal, yogurt or salads, over stews or for snacks.
“The general principle is to incorporate fiber into foods you already eat, slowly and steadily,” Richard said. “You don’t need expensive powders, specialty products, or a completely different way of cooking to get started.”
“Gradually increase fiber and drink enough fluids, especially if you’re making a substantial change,” she added. “A sudden increase can cause gas, bloating or discomfort, and some people need a more tailored approach due to gastrointestinal issues, swallowing difficulties or other medical considerations.”
Gn Health
