Whole grains are now recognised as something of a super food group in many diets, including diabetic . They are an essential constituent part of many food plans and help diabetics across the globe manage their disease. However, they may also help to prevent the disease, a German study has shown. A type of fibre in whole grains and some vegetables may be able to prevent diabetes. The study is published in the leading journal, Diabetes Care .
The fibre type, termed insoluble fibre, acts to prevent the onset of diabetes by improving bodily use of insulin. A decline in the body’s sensitivity to insulin is usually a major symptom of diabetes onset. Therefore, by making the body more sensitive to insulin one decreases diabetes risk, a German expert said. The study was carried out at the German Institute of Human Nutrition .
Fibre is divided into two major groups, termed insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fibre will not dissolve, and therefore passes through the digestive system almost completely intact. Soluble fibre dissolves into a gel, and is useful in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The German studies comprised a group of under 20 overweight women, who ate a bread diet enriched with the insoluble fibre for three days, followed by a low-fibre bread for another three days. Insulin sensitivity significantly improved following the fibre consumption. Fibre supplements could be useful, the expert concluded, but the best fibre comes from natural sources.

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