The state of prediabetes is characterized by an increase in insulin resistance and
a decrease in pancreatic beta cell function. The prestage of type 2 diabetes mellitus
can be identified by an impaired glucose tolerance and/or by an impaired fasting blood
sugar. Apart from weight loss and increase in physical activity, the development of
type 2 diabetes mellitus can also be prevented by dietary changes. A low-fat diet
with a dietary fiber intake of more than 30 g/d was shown to represent an effective
preventive approach. A high-fiber diet has many positive effects on the physical health
status. In addition to positive effects in the gastrointestinal tract it has an obvious
potential to support weight reduction and to improve disturbances of carbohydrate
and fat metabolism. At the present state of knowledge, insoluble dietary fibers as
found in whole grain cereal products are considered to be especially effective in
the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A high intake of fruits and vegetables
as well as pulses also exerts health-promoting properties. A high-fiber diet also
plays an important role in the prevention of obesity and coronary heart diseases.
Dietary fiber - type 2 diabetes mellitus - glucose intolerance - insulin resistance
- prevention - insoluble dietary fibers - healthy lifestyle