Chapter 1 - Dietary Fiber and Human Health: An Introduction

Abstract

Dietary fibers include cellulose, noncellulosic polysaccharides, and a noncarbohydrate component lignin in the diet, which are resistant to enzymatic digestion. This chapter presents an overview of the nutritional and positive health impact of dietary fiber, and illustrates the physical, chemical, and biological impact of diets rich in fibers, such as cereals, nuts, fruits, and vegetables on human health. The detail chemical classification and physiological effect of dietary fibers are incorporated with suitable experimental justifications. The importance of fibers in our diet, their immunomodulatory effect, their role in water retention, and as an absorber of organic materials is outlined in this chapter. In this chapter, we discuss the dietary necessities and functioning of fibers as a bowel regulator, inhibitor of fat accumulation, absorber of minerals, and we discuss how its regular intake decreases the incidence of chronic diseases. The daily dietary fiber intake recommendations of various international authorities, namely USDA and USFDA, Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology, British National Advisory, UK Department of Health, German RDA are discussed in the chapter.