History and Objectives: Dietary soluble fiber had beneficial effects on serum glucose and lipid levels. Sugar beet is one of the dietary soluble fibers. Contradictory results have been associated with the effect of its consumption on serum glucose and lipid levels. Therefore, the present study was performed to assess their effect on type II diabetic patients admitted to Diabetic Clinic in Kashan in 1997-98.

Materials and Methods: A cross-over, sequential and single blind clinical trial was carried out on 30 type II diabetic patients with FBS>7.8 mmol/L and HbA1C 5-9% who were treated with 2 tablets of Glibenclamide per day. Sugar fiber beet was refined, dried, ground and packed into 10 gram samples. The individuals were randomly divided into two groups: One receiving 20 grams of sugar beet fiber, blended with yogurt at lunch and dinner for 4 weeks, while the other group receiving 20 grams of starch powder instead. The individuals in each group had another 4 weeks of crossover followed by 2 weeks of wash out. Blood samples were taken for FBS and serum lipids at the beginning of the study and 5 additional samples at 2 week intervals. Paired t-test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Consumption of beet sugar fiber caused a reduction of 33% (P<0.001), 13% (P<0.01), 11% (P<0.05), 30% (P<0.02) and 15% (P<0.05) in FBS, total cholesterol, LDL-C triglyceride and total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio respectively. Furthermore, the results indicated that sugar beet fiber consumption did not have any statistically significant effect of HDL-C levels during the period of study.

Conclusion: Consumption of sugar beet fiber, as a glucose and lipid-lowering agent is recommended for type II diabetic patients.