THE EFFECT OF DIETARY FIBRES ON THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

What are dietary fibers?  They are edible plant components known to resist digestion by enzymes. These fibers can be obtained from plant based foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Two primary categories of fibers exist and they can be classified into Soluble and Insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers are the type of dietary fibers that dissolves in water and form a gel-like substance in the gastrointestinal tract while Insoluble fibers are dietary fibers that do not dissolve in water but rather add bulk to stools.

Dietary fibers offer a range of health advantages, such, as aiding in digestion improving heart health, managing blood sugar levels, supporting weight control, maintaining a gut microbiome and lowering the likelihood of conditions, like heart disease, diabetes and specific cancers. Both dietary fibers helps alot in managing the risk of type 2 diabetes. They are found in foods which include oats, barley, legumes, fruits, vegetables and so on.

Soluble dietary fibers helps to control blood sugar levels in the body, reduce the risk of cardio metabolic disease, improve glycemic control and BMI( Body Mass Index) levels and also prevent the development of type two diabetes. Insoluble fibers on the other hand does not dissolve in water, adds bulk to stool and helps move food through the digestive system, promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation, supports healthy gut motility and prevents diverticulitis.

In my last post, I talked about type 2 diabetes being a chronic and most common type of diabetes in which there is defective secretion of insulin and also inability of insulin sensitive tissues to respond to insulin. Linking this condition to how dietary fibers helps is;

1. Because diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, incorporating adequate amounts of dietary fibers will help to not only reduce this blood sugar levels but also maintain it.

2. Also type 2 diabetes is associated with defective secretion of insulin, dietary fibers( mainly Insoluble fibers) will help to promote bowel movement which in turns prevents constipation.

3. One of the symptoms of diabetes is increased hunger and thirst, dietary fibers helps to enhance satiety ( i.e feeling of being full and satisfied after a meal).

Please read : TYPE 2 DIABETES

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