Natural Dietary Fibers

8/6/2019 Natural Dietary Fibers

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What are Dietary Fibers ?

Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of

plant foods that move food through the

digestive system, absorbing water and easing

defecation.


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General Composition

Dietary fiber consists of non-starchpolysaccharides

such as cellulose

and

many other plant components such as dextrins,inulin, lignin, waxes, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans

and oligosaccharides.


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Classification of Dietary Fibers

Dietary fiber are usually divided according to

whether they are water-soluble or not.

It is best to get a balance of soluble and insoluble

fiber.


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Insoluble Fibers

Insoluble fiber possesses passive water-attracting

properties that help to increase bulk, soften stool

and shorten transit time through the intestinal

tract.

Insoluble fiber is a rougher fiber that helps sweep

clean the intestines and inactivates intestinaltoxins.


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Fiber fermentability

Fiber components with partial or low fermentability

are

cellulose, hemicellulose, lignans, plant waxes andresistant starches.

Fiber components with high fermentability are

beta-glucans, pectins, natural gums, inulins andoligosaccharides


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Diets naturally high in fiber can be considered tobring about five main physiological consequences:

improvements in gastrointestinal health

improvements in glucose tolerance and the insulin response

reduction of hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other

coronary heart disease risk factors

reduction in the risk of developing some cancers

increased satiety and hence some degree of weight

management

Key Benefits of Dietary Fibers


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The beneficial effects ofhigh fiber diets are

the summation of the effects of the different

types of fiber present in the diet

and

also other components of such diets.

Synergy


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Dietary Fibers and FDA

Recognizing the growing scientific evidence

for physiological benefits of increased fiber

intake,

regulatory agencies such as the US

FDA have given approvals to food products

making health claims for fibers.


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Health Benefits

of

Dietary Fibers


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Digestive Support

Dietary fiber gently cleans excess mucus and

other debris from the small intestine,improving absorption.

Insoluble fiber exercises the bowel muscles as it

helps broom out debris from the colon andprovides bulk for feces formation.


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Cardiovascular benefits

Dietary fibers helps lower cholesterol and

moves other fats along, help reducing

their absorption, thus helps with managing

both cholesterol and triglycerides.


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Weight Management Support

Due to delayed transit of dietary fibers

through the gut, fibers give a sense ofsatiety.

It also helps reduce absorption of fats, thushelpful with weight management.


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Anti-diabetic potential

Soluble dietary fiber slows the absorption of

sugars from the intestinal tract.

Consumption ofhigh-soluble fibers also

helps reduce a meal's glycemic index.

Natural Dietary Fibers

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