Conclusions /interpretationPooled analyses demonstrated that pulses , alone or in low-GI or high-fibre diets , improve markers of longer term glycaemic control in humans , with the extent of the improvements subject to significant inter- study heterogeneity .
Aims /hypothesisDietary non-oil-seed pulses ( chickpeas , beans , peas , lentils , etc . )
are a good source of slowly digestible carbohydrate , fibre and vegetable protein and a valuable means of lowering the glycaemic-index ( GI ) of the diet .
To assess the evidence that dietary pulses may benefit glycaemic control , we conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omised controlled experimental trials investigating the effect of pulses , alone or as part of low-GI or high-fibre diets , on markers of glycaemic control in people with and without diabetes .
Acarbose for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the STOP-NIDDM randomised trial
BACKGROUND The worldwide increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming a major health concern . We aim ed to assess the effect of acarbose in preventing or delaying conversion of impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes . METHODS In a multicentre , placebo-controlled r and omised trial , we r and omly allocated patients with impaired glucose tolerance to 100 mg acarbose or placebo three times daily . The primary endpoint was development of diabetes on the basis of a yearly oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT ) . Analyses were by intention to treat . FINDINGS We r and omly allocated 714 patients with impaired glucose tolerance to acarbose and 715 to placebo . We excluded 61 ( 4 % ) patients because they did not have impaired glucose tolerance or had no postr and omisation data . 211 ( 31 % ) of 682 patients in the  acarbose group and 130 ( 19 % ) of 686 on  placebo  discontinued treatment early . 221 ( 32 % ) patients r and omised to acarbose and 285 ( 42 % ) r and omised to placebo developed diabetes ( relative hazard 0.75 [ 95 % CI 0.63 - 0.90 ] ; p=0.0015 ) . Furthermore , acarbose significantly increased reversion of impaired glucose tolerance to normal glucose tolerance ( p<0.0001 ) . At the end of the study , treatment with placebo for 3 months was associated with an increase in conversion of impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes . The most frequent side-effects to acarbose treatment were flatulence and diarrhoea . INTERPRETATION Acarbose could be used , either as an alternative or in addition to changes in lifestyle , to delay development of type 2 diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance
Conclusions /interpretationPooled analyses demonstrated that pulses , alone or in low-GI or high-fibre diets , improve markers of longer term glycaemic control in humans , with the extent of the improvements subject to significant inter- study heterogeneity .
Aims /hypothesisDietary non-oil-seed pulses ( chickpeas , beans , peas , lentils , etc . )
are a good source of slowly digestible carbohydrate , fibre and vegetable protein and a valuable means of lowering the glycaemic-index ( GI ) of the diet .
To assess the evidence that dietary pulses may benefit glycaemic control , we conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omised controlled experimental trials investigating the effect of pulses , alone or as part of low-GI or high-fibre diets , on markers of glycaemic control in people with and without diabetes .