Discover the benefits of soluble fibers
Many scientific studies show that a rich-in- fiber diet may be beneficial...
- Lower cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease
- Promote regular bowel movement and colonic fermentation, thus contributing to colon health
- Influence glucidic metabolism, thus contributing to satiety
- In addition, a good correlation has been observed between a high fiber intake and reduced risks of high blood pressure and obesity.
- Non-viscous soluble fibers may enhance mineral absorption such as calcium and magnesium. They also protect the digestive system by preventing constipation and help limit the development of potentially harmful bacteria in the colon.
- Food fibers can be defined as that part of vegetable matter not subject to enzymatic digestion in the small intestine. They can be divided into two categories: soluble and insoluble.
The insoluble fibers (wheat bran, oat fiber, etc) are scarcely or only slightly fermented by the large intestine's bacterial flora and are therefore excreted. They must be used in small quantities in food formulation to avoid laxative effects due to their low digestive tolerance.
The soluble fibers (pectins, gums, oligosaccharides or dextrins) are by contrast totally or all but totally digested in the colon. Their digestive tolerance factor is much higher than the insoluble fibres.
Official recommendations are that soluble fibers should account for between 35 and 50% of the total fiber intake, set at 25-30 g/day/adult, whereas our actual daily consumption is between 10 and 20g a day. In addition to fiber-rich foods, such as fruit, vegetables and cereal products, foods enriched with fiber are also an effective way to augment our uptake of this essential nutrient.
