Dietary Fibers

Abstract

Dietary fibers have become increasingly popular in recent years with various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry industries. Dietary fibers are plant-based foods which are incompletely digested by digestive enzymes. The water-soluble fibers are prebiotics, which are fermented in the colon and have a beneficial role for gut microbiota. The insoluble fibers are not affected by digestive systems and provide bulking. Fiber intake has various benefits: it reduces appetite, lowers variance in blood sugar levels, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers the risk of diabetes, balances intestinal pH, alleviates constipation, and facilitates regular defecation.