Carbohydrates and Health

8.62 One trial reports carrot consumption increases faecal weight and moisture content
(Wisker et al., 1994b). Another that citrus fibre concentrate increases faecal weight
and moisture content (Wisker et al., 1994a). Potato 12 fibre consumption is reported
to increase faecal weight in another trial (Cherbut et al., 1997) and consumption of
prunes is reported to increase faecal weight in a third trial (Tinker et al., 1991). Two
trials report that a higher mixed fruit and vegetable intake increases faecal weight,
but that there is a less consistent increase in faecal moisture content (Stasse-
Wolthuis et al., 1980; Lampe et al., 1992). Two trials report on intestinal transit
times and generally observe a decrease in response to higher fruit and vegetable
fibres intake (Stasse-Wolthuis et al., 1980; Cherbut et al., 1997).
8.63 Conclusions are limited to those foods studied and cannot be broadened to other
fruit and vegetable fibres without further studies being conducted.
Fruit and vegetable fibre and faecal weight
• Effect
• Limited evidence
• The direction of the effect demonstrates higher consumption of fibre from carrots,
potato, prunes or citrus fruits is potentially beneficial to health
• The effect is potentially biologically relevant
Fruit and vegetable fibre and intestinal transit times
• Effect
• Limited evidence
• The direction of the effect demonstrates greater consumption of fibre from carrots,
potato, prunes or citrus fruits is potentially beneficial to health
• The effect is potentially biologically relevant
Legume fibre
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
8.64 Three cohort studies were identified that presented evidence on legume fibre
intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, all of which were included in
a meta-analysis (Meyer et al., 2000; Stevens et al., 2002; Hodge et al., 2004). No
further studies were identified in the update search (Cardio-metabolic review,
diabetes and glycaemia chapter).
8.65 No significant association is indicated between consumption of legume fibre and
the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.98, 1.04 for each 1g/day
increase; p=0.6).
Legume fibre (g/day) and type 2 diabetes mellitus
• No association
• Limited evidence
118
12 Potatoes are botanically classified as a vegetable, but they are classified nutritionally as a starchy food.