What is dietary fibre?
Some complex carbohydrates cannot be digested, and are known as dietary fibre. Dietary fibre may be soluble or insoluble. Diets rich in soluble fibre, such as whole grain cereals, beans and lentils, slow the absorption of other carbohydrates in the diet resulting in lower blood glucose levels after a meal. Non-soluble fibres such as the fibre in the skins of fruits and vegetables, however, have no such effect on dietary glycemic index. Although non-soluble dietary fibre may be helpful in regulating bowel function, for example, the distinction with soluble fibre is important – non-soluble fibre does not alter glycemic index. Carbohydrate Absorption Understanding the structure and absorption of these carbohydrates is the key to understanding dietary control in diabetes. For example although an average portion of porridge provides about the same amount of energy (calories) as a portion of sugar puffs they require very different amounts of insulin. In the healthy body, sugar puffs stimulat
