Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber (pronounced: /ˈdaɪ.ə.tɛr.i ˈfaɪ.bər/), also known as roughage or bulk, is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. It is found in the plants we eat — fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.
Etymology
The term "dietary fiber" comes from the Latin word dieta, meaning "daily food allowance", and the Latin word fibra, meaning "fiber, thread, string, filament". It was first used in the early 20th century to describe the indigestible parts of plant foods that aid in digestion and prevent constipation.
Types of Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is often classified into two categories: soluble fiber, which dissolves in water, and insoluble fiber, which does not.
- Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, slowing the process. It is found in oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables.
- Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. It adds bulk to the diet and helps prevent constipation.
Health Benefits
Dietary fiber has numerous health benefits, including:
- Lowering the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- Helping to maintain a healthy weight
- Promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation
- Helping to control blood sugar levels
Recommended Intake
The recommended intake of dietary fiber varies depending on age and sex. For adult men, it's recommended to consume 38 grams of fiber per day, while for adult women, it's recommended to consume 25 grams per day.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dietary fiber
- Wikipedia's article - Dietary fiber
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski