Starch, dietary fibre, In vitro starch digestibility, and predicted glycemic index of representative meals of individuals living with diabetes: A cross-sectional study

An analysis of starch, dietary fibre, in-vitro starch digestibility, and predicted glycemic index (GI) in lunch meals consumed by diabetic men and women (n=50 each), from Ludhiana, India, revealed high digestible starch (39.05g), low resistant starch (0.73g) with adequate fiber (8.64g) in the meals of the participants. Meals exhibited negative correlations (p≤0.01) between protein, ash, crude fiber, fat, dietary fiber, and glycemic load (GL). In vitro starch digestion rate showed a significant negative correlation (p≤0.01) with GI. The meals exhibited a negative correlation (p≤0.01) between protein, ash, crude fibre, fat, dietary fibre, and the GL. In-vitro starch digestion rate demonstrated a significant negative correlation (p≤0.01) with the GI of the meals. Significant (p≤0.01) association was noted between higher carbohydrates and higher GL. Findings are particularly relevant in India due to high diabetes prevalence. Implementing awareness programs to regulate meal GL emerges as a practical and cost-effective strategy in diabetes care.