The impact of supplementation with dietary fibers on weight loss: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Publication date: Available online 27 July 2017 Source:Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre Author(s): Kia Yong Chew, Iain A. Brownlee The prevalence of excess body weight has significantly increased, with recent estimates suggesting 1.9 billion people are overweight or obese worldwide. While intake of dietary fiber (mainly from plant-based foods) is associated with improved weight management over time, it is uncertain whether dietary fiber isolates will benefit weight loss. The present study aimed to systematically assess the current evidence that dietary fiber supplementation can impact on weight loss in overweight adults. Blinded, randomised-controlled trials were retrieved from Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Studies with free-living, overweight adult participants and fibre supplementation in various forms (i.e. as pills, capsules or powder mix formats) were included. A total of 32 trials were identified that met these criteria. Meta-analysis of statistically pooled data for chitosan (n=6) found significant increases in weight loss (effect size −0.42, 95% confidence interval: −0.81 to −0.03, P<0.001) in treatment groups compared with control groups. For glucomannan (n=5), non-significant difference was found (effect size −0.58, 95% confidence interval: −1.52 to 0.35, P<0.001). Risk of bias within included studies appeared to be low with mean scores of >3 on the Jadad scale and 13 studies scoring ...
Source: Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre - Category: Food Science Source Type: research