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Physiological Effects of Fiber

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Dietary Fiber

Abstract

Ingestion of a diet rich in dietary fiber may result in slower gastric emptying, delayed absorption in the small intestine, faster colonic transit, and an increased stool output. These effects, however, are dependent on the type of dietary fiber ingested. The plant polysaccharides that make up dietary fiber have a variety of chemical structures and physical properties. The soluble polysaccharides form viscous solutions in the intestinal lumen and delay absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. Many of these soluble polysaccharides are extensively fermented in the proximal colon and have minimal effects on stool output. In contrast, the insoluble polysaccharides act as indigestible solids and have little effect on small bowel physiology. However, they are more resistant to bacterial degradation and have a greater influence on stool output and colonic transit. This chapter discusses the mechanisms by which dietary fiber influences the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sub-Department of Human Gastrointestinal Physiology and Nutrition, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Shefield, S10 2JF, England

    C. A. Edwards

  2. Wolfson Gastrointestinal Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, Scotland

    C. A. Edwards

Authors
  1. C. A. Edwards
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    David Kritchevsky

  2. Astra Associates, Inc., McLean, Virginia, USA

    Charles Bonfield

  3. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    James W. Anderson

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© 1990 Plenum Press, New York

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Edwards, C.A. (1990). Physiological Effects of Fiber. In: Kritchevsky, D., Bonfield, C., Anderson, J.W. (eds) Dietary Fiber. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0519-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0519-4_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7846-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0519-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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