Abstract
Gastrointestinal transit time may be an important determinant of glucose homeostasis and metabolic health through effects on nutrient absorption and microbial composition, among other mechanisms. Modulation of gastrointestinal transit may be one of the mechanisms underlying the beneficial health effects of dietary fibers. These effects include improved glucose homeostasis and a reduced risk of developing metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this review, we first discuss the regulation of gastric emptying rate, small intestinal transit and colonic transit as well as their relation to glucose homeostasis and metabolic health. Subsequently, we briefly address the reported health effects of different dietary fibers and discuss to what extent the fiber-induced health benefits may be mediated through modulation of gastrointestinal transit.
Highlights
Food intake activates several gastrointestinal (GI) processes
The rate of lower intestinal i.e., colonic transit has a major impact on the gut microbiota [3], which may be involved in many physiological functions in energy and substrate metabolism, metabolic cross-organ signaling and insulin sensitivity [4]
Altered GI transit may play a role in the etiology of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [5]
Summary
The transit of food through the stomach, small intestine and colon is crucial for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Altered GI transit may play a role in the etiology of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [5]. The underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effects of dietary fibers are not completely understood, but the GI transit might play a role in these mechanisms. This review discusses how GI transit may relate to glucose homeostasis and metabolic health and to what extent the positive metabolic effect of dietary fiber intake may be mediated by modulation of GI transit. We discuss the (patho)physiological consequences of an altered GI transit on glucose homeostasis, gut hormonal secretion and gut microbiota composition. We discuss to what extent these effects may be mediated GI transit
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