The health benefits of dietary fiber: Beyond the usual suspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer

Abstract

Dietary fiber (DF) is deemed to be a key component in healthy eating. DF is not a static collection of undigestible plant materials that pass untouched or unencumbered through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; instead, DFs are a vast array of complex saccharide-based molecules that can bind potential nutrients and nutrient precursors to prevent their absorption. Some DFs are fermentable, and the GI tract catabolism leads to the generation of various bioactive materials, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), that can markedly augment the GI tract biomass and change the composition of the GI tract flora. The health benefits of DFs include the prevention and mitigation of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colon cancer. By modulating food ingestion, digestion, absorption and metabolism, DFs reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. Emerging research has begun to investigate the role of DFs in immunomodulation. If substantiated, DFs could facilitate many biologic processes, including infection prevention and the improvement of mood and memory. This review describes the accepted physiologic functions of DFs and explores their new potential immune-based actions.

Características físicas, composição químico-nutricional e dos óleos essenciais da polpa de Caryocar brasiliense nativo do estado de Mato Grosso

“…Entretanto, todas as amostras apresentaram elevados teores de fibra alimentar total (8 a 15 g 100 g -1 ), especialmente de fibra insolúvel, sendo os maiores valores observados nos frutos de Cuiabá e Santo Antônio do Leverger (Tabela 3), compatíveis com o valor relatado para polpa de pequi do Estado do Piauí (10,02 g. 100 g -1 ) (LIMA et al, 2007). Altos teores de fibras nos alimentos são desejáveis devido aos seus efeitos benéficos no organismo, sobretudo reduzindo a absorção de macronutrientes, como o colesterol, pelo aumento da viscosidade do conteúdo luminal e alteração do tempo de trânsito intestinal (KACZMARCZYK et al, 2012).…”

Fiber and sugar contents in vegetables prescribed and consumed by diabetics in Kisangani

“…As in dia betics, sugar consumption should take into account its glycemic index, so it is important to involve a fiber rich vegetable in daily menu to cover the minimum daily intake of 25 g (Mello & Laaksonen 2009) Contrarily vegetables such as M. esculenta, I. batatas and B. oleraceae should be consumed moderately by diabetics because their fiber content is not so high to cover the total sugars in a meal although they contain other essential nutrients. In the intervention study involving fiber supplementation in type 2 diabetes, it has been proved that this diet reduces fasting blood glucose and HbA1c (Kaczmarczyk et al, 2012), and the minimum recommended intake of fiber was based on consumption of fruits and vegetables.…”

“…T hus, having a healthy diet basically a considerable intake of dietary fiber, antioxidants, including carotenoids, vitamins A, C, E, minerals such as selenium and phytochemical compounds would be a better source to overcome this disease. Vegetables and fr uits are considered the main sources of these substances (Kaczmarczyk et al, 2012;T abesh et al, 2013;Boeing et al, 2012;Isao et al, 2013). Dietary fibers of these suggested vegetables and fruits stimulate the secretion of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, this hormone is responsible for increasing the secretion of insulin and prevents the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas (Ramon, 2009).…”

Dietary Fiber and Availability of Nutrients: A Case Study on Yoghurt as a Food Model

“…It is known that exists a link among an elevated body mass index, waist circumference and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus [54,55]. The role of DF in weight reduction has been examined in animal and human studies.…”