Abstract
Consumption of soluble dietary fibre is recommended as part of a healthy diet. Evidence has shown that soluble dietary fibre slows gastric emptying, increases perceived satiety and plays a significant role in appetite regulation. This systematic review examined the effects of soluble dietary fibre using randomised-controlled trials (RCTs). Three different electronic databases were used, namely PubMed, Scopus® and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated based on the intergroup mean difference and standard deviation (SD) followed by Cochran’s Q and I2 determination. The effect size was statistically pooled in the meta-analyses and presented as a forest plot. The risk of bias was high for each study as assessed using the Jadad scale. Meta-analysis of statistically pooled data for guar gum showed a sizeable effect on post-meal energy intake, followed by β-glucan, alginate, polydextrose and pectin, with pooled effect sizes of −0.90, −0.44, −0.42, −0.36 and −0.26, respectively. Guar gum (5 g) effectively reduced energy intake when prepared in milk beverages compared with control milk (p < 0.001). Alginate, when prepared in liquid (5 g) or solid (9 g) meals, effectively reduced energy intake compared with control (p < 0.001). A high dose of polydextrose (25 g) prepared in liquid meal form significantly reduced energy intake (p = 0.01). This study suggests that soluble fibres are not all created equal. Further interventional studies are needed to determine whether combinations of these soluble fibres might have greater effects than individual fibres per se.
Highlights
The benefit of dietary fibre on gut health is well established [1]
Viscous soluble dietary fibres are not being digested in the stomach; instead, they are fermented in the colon and result in a rise in short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
Soluble fibres might play a role in reducing energy intake and could be incorporated in the daily dietary intake
Summary
The benefit of dietary fibre on gut health is well established [1]. Dietary fibre is categorised into soluble and insoluble fibre. The distinction between soluble and insoluble dietary fibres is that the former solubilise in hot aqueous solution [2]. The physiological effects of soluble dietary fibres are attributed to its unique physico-chemical properties, namely viscosity, gel formation or fermentability in the colon [3]. Viscous soluble dietary fibre increases digesta viscosity and delays gastric emptying [11,12,13], slowing digestion and the absorption of nutrients [14], and reducing enzyme diffusion [15] and the formation of an unstirred water layer [16]. Viscous soluble dietary fibres are not being digested in the stomach; instead, they are fermented in the colon and result in a rise in short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Soluble fibre alters the balance of the gut microflora towards what is considered to be a healthier one [22]
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