The consumption of dietary fiber could help menopausal women obese or overweight to better control their appetite, according to preliminary results of a study1 conducted at the University of Montreal.

The researchers found that the intake of dietary fiber lowered by about 25% levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. "Ghrelin, produced by the stomach, is one of the many hormones that regulate appetite. It opens the appetite and triggers food intake, "says Dr. Remi Rabasa-Lhoret, a researcher at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM) and author of the study.

"By eating more fiber, ghrelin levels in postmenopausal women remain low for longer, thereby delaying the sensation of hunger," he says. One more reason, says he, to eat foods rich in fiber.

To lose weight?

This regulatory effect of fiber on the appetite he could help menopausal women to lose weight? Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret, also professor of nutrition at the University of Montreal, remains cautious. "These results are very preliminary and the fibers are not yet a tool to address obesity in postmenopausal women. "

The study was conducted on 35 obese postmenopausal women with overweight, aged 46 years to 68 years and not suffering from diabetes. These women have listed all foods, beverages and condiments they have consumed during 3 days. Researchers measured the variation of ghrelin in their blood after fasting for 12 hours and at different times after injection of insulin.