Pea Fiber Intake may Reduce Glucose Response in Overweight and Obesity: Study

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition showed that in people who are overweight or obese, consuming 25 g of pea fiber daily successfully reduces total glucose AUC.

The significance of pulse fibers in reducing cardiometabolic risk is poorly understood, despite the well-established positive correlation between high-fiber (HiFi) diet and a lower prevalence of chronic illnesses. Thus, this study examined the effects of eating either a low-fiber (LowFi) or a high-fiber (HiFi) diet (meals containing pea fiber) on markers of cardiometabolic risk in people who are overweight or obese and have at least one metabolic syndrome characteristic over the course of 4 weeks.

The participants were randomized to either a LowFi (5 g/day of pea fiber) or a HiFi (25 g/day of pea fiber) diet for 4 weeks. A 4.5-hour meal test (MT) challenge was completed at the start of the intervention (Day 0) and at its conclusion (Day 28). Total cholesterol, glucose, HDLc, LDLc, triglycerides, and insulin concentrations were measured in fasting and postprandial blood samples obtained during the MT. Blood pressure, body composition, and anthropometrics were also measured.

A total of 29 participants (aged 31.6 ± 9.4 years, BMI 30.1 ± 2.6 kg/m2, mean ± SD; LowFi: n = 16; HiFi: n = 13) finished the trial, and their data was examined. Glucose and insulin responses showed a major impact of time (P < 0.001) following the MT, whereas insulin showed a time-by-group interaction (P = 0.035). Day 28 total glucose AUC was lower in the HiFi group than Day 0 (25,719 ± 1,038 vs. 26,642 ± 1237 mg/dL.min, P = 0.035). There were no additional noteworthy findings.

Overall, the results of this study show that those who are overweight or obese may effectively lower their total glucose areas under the curve by following a HiFi diet (25 g/day of pea fiber). A bigger sample size would be necessary to identify substantial decreases in triglyceride levels due to the wide range of plasma-TG levels in subjects. According to the current research, it is possible to manage general health, particularly in those who are at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, by implementing dietary recommendations that include 25 g/day of pea fiber into meals.

Reference:

Ghanaatgar, M., Ackah-Swanzy, L., & Anguah, K. O. B. (2025). Incorporating 25 g/day of pea fiber into food for four weeks reduces glucose area under the curve in individuals with overweight and obesity. The Journal of Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.010