Postprandial glycemic response of coconut fibre-enriched bread in apparent healthy subjects

Abstract

Increased intake of dietary fibre is becoming very relevant in the human diet as a result of the significant role played by dietary fibre in regulating the postprandial release of blood glucose. This study investigated the glycemic response and index of coconut fibre-enriched bread in healthy subjects. Proximate analysis and glycemic index (GI) of the samples were determined according to standard analytical procedures. Significant (p<0.05) differences existed in the chemical composition of the coconut fibre-enriched (CNB) and whole wheat bread (WWB) samples except in the ash contents. The CNB had significantly (p<0.05) higher protein, fat and total dietary fibre contents (9.60, 6.09, and 9.53%) than the WWB (control) with 9.01, 5.09, and 9.29% respectively. Significant (p<0.05) differences also existed in the mean blood glucose responses between time intervals from 30 min up to 120 min, but there was no significant(p>0.05) difference in the standard, control, and test samples at 0 min. The results showed that the GI of CNB was 93 while WWB was 97, although these GI values were not significantly (p>0.05) different. These findings, therefore, suggest that consumption of coconut fibre-enriched bread, being of lower GI, can, in the long run, have a better and healthier effect on the body system and will be of higher nutritional benefit.