Impact of sugar beet pectin and polydextrose on fasting and postprandial glycemia and fasting concentrations of serum total and lipoprotein lipids in middle-aged subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism

Abstract

To examine the effects of sugar beet pectin (SBP) and polydextrose (PDX) on fasting plasma glucose concentration, serum lipid profile and postprandial glycemia in middle-aged subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism. A placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel double-blinded study. Subjects were recruited via newspaper announcements. Seventy subjects were recruited of which 66 completed the study. The intervention period lasted for 12 weeks during which the subjects consumed a drink enriched with either SBP (n=22) or PDX (n=22) or without fiber enrichment (control group, n=22). The daily dose of the drinks was 4 dl. The subjects were also given nutrition counseling. Postprandial glycemia was examined in 24 subjects (n=8 in each group) at 0 and 12 weeks after a standardized breakfast. Fasting plasma glucose concentration did not change in the SBP and PDX groups, whereas it increased in the control group (P=0.007). On the contrary, the glycosylated hemoglobin A1(c) increased marginally but significantly (P< or =0.05) in the intervention groups without a change in the control group. In postprandial glycemia, no differences between the groups were found. In both the SBP and PDX groups, fasting serum High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration increased (P< or =0.05) without a change in the control group. Total to HDL-cholesterol ratio decreased in all groups (P< or =0.05). It was found that SBP and PDX do not have positive effects on fasting or postprandial plasma glucose concentrations or serum lipid profile in subjects with abnormal glucose metabolism.