Effect of Fenugreek Fiber on Satiety, Blood Glucose and Insulin Response and Energy Intake in Obese Subjects

Abstract

Eighteen healthy obese subjects participated in a single blind, randomized, crossover study of three test breakfasts, containing 0 g (control), 4 g or 8 g of isolated fenugreek fiber. Subjects recorded ratings of hunger, satiety, fullness and prospective food consumption using visual analog scales (VAS) every 30 min for 3.5 h. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses were measured. Energy intake from an ad libitum lunch buffet and for the remainder of the day was assessed. The 8 g dose of fenugreek fiber significantly increased mean ratings of satiety and fullness, and reduced ratings of hunger and prospective food consumption (P < 0.05). Palatability was significantly reduced with increasing doses of fenugreek fiber (P < 0.05). No differences were observed for area under the curve (AUC) for blood glucose among treatments. An increase in insulin AUC was found with 8 g fenugreek fiber. Energy intake at an ad libitum lunch buffet was significantly lower for 8 g than 4 g fenugreek fiber, but not significantly different from control, although there was a trend towards a lower intake (p = 0.11). No differences were observed for energy intake for the remainder of the day. Fenugreek fiber (8 g) significantly increased satiety and reduced energy intake at lunch, suggesting it may have short-term beneficial effects in obese subjects. Satiety results were not related to postprandial blood glucose.

Mechanisms of Action of Traditional Herbal Medicines Used in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of the Literature

“…T. foenum-graeceum was reported to have hypoglycemic effects in rats as early as 1974 (Mishkinsky et al, 1974). In a study in diabetic patients, insulin levels were significantly higher in the T. foenum-graecum treatment group compared to the placebo treatment group (Mathern et al, 2009). Sharma et al, 1990, showed that the defatted seeds of T. foenum-graecum administered to Type 1 DM patients at a dose of 100g daily for 10 days significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and tryglycerides (Sharma et al, 1990).…”

A Review on the Functional Properties, Nutritional Content, Medicinal Utilization and Potential Application of Fenugreek

“…Mathern et al [29] has made studies on trend of food consumption in obese human beings and found that fenugreek fibre significantly increased satiety and reduced energy intake at lunch, suggesting that it may have short-term beneficial effects in obese subjects. Naidu et al (2011) [30] reported that fenugreek husk is a valuable source of dietary fiber and phenolic acids; therefore, it could be an effective source of natural antioxidants and natural ingredients in functional foods.…”

Review on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and its Important Secondary Metabolite Diosgenin

“…The plant also represents a significant source of antioxidants (Naidu, 2011). In obese subjects, short-term beneficial effects of fenugreek fiber were reported on satiety, blood glucose, insulin response and energy intake (Mathern et al, 2009). In addition, fenugreek fiber can bind to and remove carcinogens in the intestine (Meghwal, 2012).…”

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