Effect of a Viscous Fiber Bar on Postprandial Glycemia in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of an experimental viscous fiber (VF) crispy bar on the postprandial glucose, insulin, and C-peptide response in adult subjects with type 2 diabetes to two commercially available control crispy bars.

Design: The study was a randomized, double-blinded, three period, crossover study.

Setting: The study was conducted at two sites: Park Nicollet Institute, International Diabetes Center, Minneapolis, MN, and Radiant Research, Inc., Minneapolis, MN.

Subjects: A total of 60 adults with type 2 diabetes taking oral antihyperglycemic medication participated in the study.

Intervention: After an overnight fast, subjects consumed a test meal containing an equicaloric amount (300 kcal) of an experimental VF crispy bar or one of two commercially available crispy bars at each of three test visits, followed by a four hour meal tolerance test. Subjects also completed gastrointestinal (GI) response records for the 24 hours following each test visit.

Results: The VF crispy bars produced significantly lower glucose (p < 0.0001), insulin (p < 0.0001), and C-peptide (p < 0.0001) responses (as measured by positive area under the curve) in subjects with type 2 diabetes, as compared with the two commercially available bars. Intensity (p < 0.05) and frequency (p < 0.05) of flatulence were significantly higher with the VF bar as compared with the 2 commercial bars. While the VF bar produced significant subjective GI tolerance scoring values, the mean value was below 3 on a scale of 0 (no effect) to 10 (most severe effect) for all tested materials.

Conclusions: The incorporation of VF into a crispy bar provided a means to improve blood glucose levels by reducing postprandial glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Though associated with some GI symptoms, VF may have application in improving the postprandial glycemic response in people with diabetes attempting intensive glucose control.

• dietary fiber
• glucose
• insulin
• C-peptide
• type 2 diabetes

The authors gratefully acknowledge the excellent work of the clinical study staff at Park Nicollet Institute, Radiant Research, Inc. and Ross Products Division who were involved in this study.

Notes

Dr. Kendall is presently at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California.