Diet Components in the Management of Diabetes

The aims of dietary management in diabetes are manifold.In the long term it is desirable to alleviate any accompanying obesity, minimize vascular and other abnormalities and, if possible, to bring about improvements in plasma glucose control.In the short term it is essential to regulate plasma glucose excursions.Plasma glucose levels show the widest variations in the period immediately following the ingestion of a meal.These variations, which may be accompanied by substantial changes in the levels of circulating hormones, are significantly influenced by the nature of the diet.Diet plays a central role in the management of diabetes and the latest recommendations are outlined.This is followed by a brief description of carbohydrate digestion and a review of the ways in which individual foods and food components may influence post-prandial plasma glucose responses and other factors of importance in diabetic management.Substantial experimental data are available on the relationship between diet and post-prandial glucose.Animal and in vitro studies can assess the potential effects of specific diet constituents and evaluate possible mechanisms of action.However, unless otherwise stated, the data in the present review are derived from human studies.