Abstract
Background: The increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) heightens the risk of diabetes and adversely affects the cardiometabolic system. The prevalence of diabetes worldwide has surged, and Pakistan ranked third globally in terms of diabetes prevalence in 2021. Various factors contributing to this surge including genetics, environmental influences, inactive lifestyles, obesity, and dietary habits. The glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) play pivotal roles in managing hyperglycemia. Low GI foods exhibit a slower glucose response, contrasting high GI foods that elevate glucose levels rapidly. GL combines the quality and quantity of carbohydrates in a food serving, offering a complete assessment of glycemic impact. Increasing dietary fiber intake has been recommended to mitigate glycemic responses. Yet, limited information exists on GI and GL values for commonly consumed Pakistani beverages.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fiber, specifically ispaghula husk (Psyllium Husk), on the GI and GL of Jam-e-Shirin, a prevalent Pakistani beverage.
Methodology: Fifteen healthy male participants with normal BMI and blood pressure were enrolled in a non-blind interventional study. Over six months, participants were subjected to a regimen of Jam-e-Shirin and fiber, with reference glucose as the control. Blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals. GI and GL values were calculated using the trapezoid method and analyzed using the Paired T-Test in SPSS.
Results: The study revealed significant reductions in GI and GL with the addition of dietary fiber. Group 2, receiving 5.0 grams of fiber, exhibited the most pronounced effect in lowering both GI and GL.
Conclusion: Incorporating dietary fiber, specifically ispaghula husk, into Jam-e-Shirin effectively lowered its GI and GL. This finding offers a valuable dietary strategy for managing glycemic responses, particularly relevant for individuals with diabetes or at risk of developing the condition.