Research has demonstrated that fiber has the potential to counteract absorption of glucose and lipids found in high-fiber foods. Fiber has been shown to decrease blood glucose and cholesterol levels, assisting in weight loss efforts. For older adults, fiber intake recommendations are 30g (males) and 21g (females) daily. Daily recommendations include less than 35g (males) and 25g (females) of added sugar. While blood glucose levels increase at a similar rate despite the source, added sugar intake has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify a significant difference in blood glucose, body fat percentage, and triglyceride levels between high-fiber, high-added sugar diets and low-fiber, high-added sugar diets. This study included 23 overweight (92.909kg ± 11.741) adults at least 58 years old (64.261 years ± 4.993), who consumed a high-added sugar diet. Fasting blood work and body fat percentages were collected. Three 24-hour diet recalls were then collected using NDSR 2017 software. Participants were divided into two groups: G1 with a high-fiber diet, and G2 with a low-fiber diet. An ANOVA test was run using SSPS software with a grouping variable of fiber. There was no significant difference between the added sugar of the high-fiber group (75.152g ± 28.638), and the low-fiber group (89.750g ± 50.860), or the fiber intake between the high-fiber group (24.879g ± 3.236) and the low-fiber group (14.924g ± 4.587). Results of the ANOVA indicate there was no significant difference in blood glucose (F= (1,21)= 0.083, p= 0.777) or body fat percentage (F= (1,21)= 0.193, p= 0.665) between G1 and G2. Triglyceride levels were approaching significant statistical difference (F= (1,21)= 3.525, p=0.074). The results did not show any significant difference, however, similar studies should be considered using a larger number sample with greater fiber intake variability.
Author: Erin Cavanaugh
Faculty Advisor: M. Elizabeth Miller and Kelsie Newton, Department of Kinesiology and Health
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