How might fibre decrease diabetes risk? Your gut could carry the indications

Increased dietary fibre intake may lower Type 2 diabetes risk by fostering beneficial gut bacteria and metabolic byproducts, as per recent research on Hispanic adults. While evidence consistently links dietary fibre to reduced diabetes risk, exact mechanisms remain unclear, per Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers. Understanding how fibre interacts with gut microbiota, metabolites, and Type 2 diabetes could inform targeted prevention strategies for this condition, a major risk factor for various diseases.

Published in the American Heart Association's Circulation Research journal, the study analyzed data from over 11,000 participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Higher fibre intake correlated with specific beneficial gut bacteria and blood metabolites, associated with reduced Type 2 diabetes risk over six years.

Despite federal dietary guidelines recommending adequate fibre intake, many adults fall short. Fibre-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and cereals, support gut health and regular bowel movements. Further research is needed to explore additional mechanisms through which fibre influences metabolic health.