ENRICHMENT OF AN ISRAELI ETHNIC FOOD WITH FIBERS AND THEIR EFFECTS ONTHE GLYCEMIC AND INSULINEMIC RESPONSES IN SUBJECTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

The effects of various sources of dietary fibre on the high glycaemic index of an Israeli ethnic food, melawach, were investigated in subjec ts with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Locust-bean ( Ceratonia siliqua) gum significantly decreased the glucose response to , and glycaemic index of, melawach in these diabetic subjects (P < 0.0 5). It also tended to decrease their insulinaemic response and insulin aemic index, but differences were not significant. Dietary fibre from lupin (Lupinus albus) and insoluble maize-cob fibre did not affect glu cose and insulin levels in NIDDM volunteers. Subjects with a BMI < 30 kg/m(2) exhibited similar glucose, but not insulin, responses to fibre . Locust-bean gum had no significant effect on glycaemic response in N IDDM subjects with a BMI > 30 kg/m(2), whereas insulinaemic response d ecreased. The results indicate that foods containing the same nutrient s in almost the same amounts, but differing in added dietary fibre, le ad to different physiological responses in diabetic subjects. Furtherm ore, insulin response should be considered when fibre is incorporated into the diabetic's diet.