Research paper
Effects of isolated soluble fiber supplementation on body weight, glycemia, and insulinemia in adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Study answer
What this study found
Isolated soluble fiber supplementation improved several body composition and glycemic outcomes versus placebo, supporting a beneficial role for weight management and glucose-insulin homeostasis. Pooled effects favored soluble fiber for BMI (−0.84, 95% CI −1.35 to −0.32; P = 0.001), body weight (−2.52 kg, 95% CI −4.25 to −0.79 kg; P = 0.004), body fat (−0.41%, 95% CI −0.58% to −0.24%; P < 0.001), fasting glucose (−0.17 mmol/L, 95% CI −0.28 to −0.06 mmol/L; P = 0.002), and fasting insulin (−15.88 pmol/L, 95% CI −29.05 to −2.71 pmol/L; P = 0.02). Waist circumference and HOMA-IR were not…
- Study & population
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials including 609 adults with overweight or obesity.
- Intervention
- Isolated soluble fiber supplementation was evaluated versus placebo/control across 12 randomized trials.
- Key limitation
- Interpretation is limited by substantial between-study heterogeneity, short intervention durations (2 to 17 weeks), and variability in dose and population characteristics across trials.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Background: There is strong epidemiologic evidence that dietary fiber intake is protective against overweight and obesity; however, results of intervention studies have been mixed. Soluble fiber beneficially affects metabolism, and fiber supplementat…