Dietary fiber is a kind of polysaccharide that cannot be digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and cannot produce energy after metabolized by the body.
According to whether the dietary fiber is dissolved in water, can be divided into soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber two categories. Soluble dietary fiber is mainly derived from konjac, pectin, alginate gum, etc. It has the characteristics of low energy and strong water absorption, which can intertwine with starch and other carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract and retard the absorption of carbohydrates.
The sources of insoluble dietary fiber are mainly whole grain cereals such as bran, brown rice, oats, beans, fruits and vegetables. Insoluble dietary fiber promotes gastrointestinal peristalsis, which allows food to pass through the gastrointestinal tract quickly and reduces the body’s absorption of food; dietary fiber absorbs water in the large intestine to soften stools, which helps to maintain normal bowel function.
Nutrients needed to maintain the normal functioning of the body is very large, the diet needs to ensure that the nutrition is balanced, adequate and comprehensive, and daily intake of dietary fiber should be appropriate.