The effect of dietary fiber on the pancreatic excretory function

The effects of dietary fiber on the pancreatic exocrine function was studied in volunteers using the Lundh test. Since only limited information can be derived from this test, additional studies were carried out in rats. In man, the duodenal content aspirated for 90 min. after administration of a test diet supplemented with pectin or carob-bean flour, was significantly (alpha less than 0.01) lower than in a control test (n = 10). In the animal experiment, the volume secretion of the pancreas was also decreased after carrageenan and guar, which were studied in addition (each n = 10; alpha less than 0.025). The protein and enzyme output showed a slight reduction, but this was statistically significant in only some of the cases. An influence of the viscocity, osmolarity and pH-value of the test diets was ruled out as a potential cause for the observed alterations in the pancreatic exocrine function.