Dietary Fibre

INTRODUCTORY FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIETARY FIBRE : SIGNIFICANT TO HUMAN HEALTH OR NOT? In scientific terms, dietary fibre is a mixture of components derived from plant cell wall material and non-structural polysaccharides, as well as non-starch polysaccharides added to foods. It includes non-digestible polysaccharides such as cellulose, hemi-celluloses, gums, pectins, mucilages and lignin. From a nutrition point of view, some authorities also include 'resistant starch' (i.e. starch that is resistant to enzymic degradation, usually …

…is an integrated effort that includes a high-fibre diet as part of a healthy lifestyle. Fibre's significance in maintaining a healthy body and regulating sugar levels within it, together with the prevention of coronary heart disease and cancer, is too important to be overlooked. Research in this field must continue in order to enhance our knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of dietary fibre since it is a very crucial part of the human diet.