The Effect of Apple Fibre on Diabetic Control and Plasma Lipids

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of apple fibre on diabetic control and on plasma lipid levels in non insulin dependent maturity onset diabetes mellitus. Twelve patients (8 females and 4 males) ingested 15g of apple fibre per day over a period of 7 weeks. There was a significant improvement in diabetic control, as reflected by a fall in mean fasting plasma glucose (P<0.05) and in percentage glycosylated haemoglobin (p<0.005). There was a 5% decrease in plasma cholesterol and 4% increase in HDL-cholesterol with no change in plasma triglyceride. These results suggest that apple fibre may be a useful adjuvant in the management of non insulin dependent maturity onset diabetic patients.