Increase Your Fibre Intake

Gayatri Kashelkar explains why people with Diabetes need to pay attention to their fibre intake.

- Gayatri Kashelkar

Importance of fibre

Dietary fibre is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods. It's not absorbed or digested by the body but plays an important role in maintaining good health. According to American Diabetic Association, the term dietary or plant fibre generally refers to the 'non-starch polysaccharides and lignin present in plant products. They are not digestible or are very poorly digestible by the enzymes present in the upper gastrointestinal tract'.

There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble Soluble fibre is the soft fibre that helps control blood glucose (sugar) and reduces cholesterol. It also helps in managing diarrhoea. Soluble fibres are gums and pectins which are found in oats, legumes (dried beans and lentils), guar (made from cluster beans), barley, apples, guava, carrots and strawberries.

Insoluble fibre is the bulky fibre that helps to prevent constipation. It also helps to prevent some types of cancers. Insoluble fibres are cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin which are present in whole wheat flour, bran, vegetables and fruits.

Fibre and Diabetes