A Review of the Role of Soluble Fiber in Health with Specific Reference to Wheat Dextrin

Abstract

Dietary fiber is widely recognized to have a beneficial role in overall health, but only at adequate levels (25 - 38 g/day for healthy adults). Wheat dextrin in particular is a soluble fiber that can easily be added to the diet and is widely used in the food industry. There is some debate about whether increased intake of soluble fibers leads to health benefits. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the physiological effects and potential health benefits of the addition of soluble dietary fibers, with specific reference to wheat dextrin, based on a search of PubMed. The evidence suggests that soluble fibers help to regulate the digestive system, may increase micronutrient absorption, stabilize blood glucose and lower serum lipids, may prevent several gastrointestinal disorders, and have an accepted role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is concluded that supplementation with soluble fibers (e.g. wheat dextrin) may be useful in individuals at risk of a lower than recommended dietary fiber intake.

Dessert Formulation Using Sucralose and Dextrin Affects Favorably Postprandial Response to Glucose, Insulin, and C-Peptide in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

“…These results imply that sucralose may not affect appetite and hunger when used in foods [14,15]. Dextrin, a soluble fiber, reduces postprandial glucose and insulin levels [16]. It is likely that dextrins reduce glucose absorption through inhibition of the transfer of disaccharidases [4].…”

Enzymatic process of rice bran: a stabilized functional food with nutraceuticals and nutrients

“…Degradation of oligosaccharides by enzyme treatment would make the rice bran available for human consumption. According to Slavin et al (2009), dietary fiber in the soluble form helps to prevent the inhibition of micronutrient absorption caused by total dietary fiber and stabilizes blood glucose and lipid levels. Stabilization by microwave heating and conventional roasting have shown reduction in soluble fiber content by 50 and 93 % respectively (Faria et al 2012).…”

“…Acetate acts as a fuel for skeletal and cardiac muscle, kidney and the brain. Propionate is the only SCFA that can be a major source of glucose after metabolism, used for energy production and may play a role in cholesterol lowering (Slavin et al 2009). …”

Assessment of Nano Cellulose from Peach Palm Residue as Potential Food Additive: Part II: Preliminary Studies

“…These include: (i) body weight to know about quantity of diet taken, (ii) blood analysis for glucose, lipid profile through determination of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, (iii) analysis of feces (excreta) to know about the quantity of minerals excreted and (iv) study of liver to know about any variation occurring between various groups of animals due to the diets consumed by them. In fact, the functions of various minerals in the body of living beings are given elsewhere (American Medical Association 1979;Cormark 1994;Soetan et al 2010;Junqueira and José 2013;Reeves et al 1993;Schweizer and Edwards 1992;Slavin et al 2009;Teixeira 2001;Weaver and Heaney 1999;Zhao et al 1995).…”

“…It is well known that dietary fiber has a beneficial role in overall health of healthy adults only at adequate levels (25-38 g/day) (Slavin et al 2009). Dietary fibers are designated following Hipsley's proposal as 'those containing carbohydrate and components resistant to the digestion or the nondigestible constituents that make up the plant cell wall'; dietary fiber has been considered as a natural food component preventing the development of digestive tract diseases and arteriosclerosis (DeVries et al 1999;Sundberg et al 1998).…”