Summary
This 1977 Lancet paper by Haber and colleagues investigated how the physical form of dietary fibre — whether intact, mechanically disrupted (as in juice or purée), or depleted — influences satiety and postprandial metabolic responses. Using apples as a model food in what appears to be a controlled crossover design, the study likely demonstrated that fibre disruption and depletion led to faster consumption, reduced satiety, and higher plasma glucose and serum insulin peaks compared to whole fruit. The findings contributed foundational evidence to the hypothesis that the physical structure of food, not merely its chemical composition, is a critical determinant of glycaemic and satiety responses.
UK applicability
Conducted in the UK, this study is directly applicable to UK dietary guidance, particularly regarding recommendations on whole fruit versus fruit juice consumption and the role of food processing in metabolic health outcomes.
Key measures
Satiety ratings; plasma glucose (mmol/L); serum insulin (mU/L); eating rate; caloric intake
Outcomes reported
The study measured the effects of consuming whole, disrupted, and fibre-depleted forms of apples on satiety, plasma glucose levels, and serum insulin response. It likely found that physical disruption or removal of dietary fibre accelerated eating rate, reduced satiety, and produced greater postprandial glucose and insulin excursions.
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