As per the FDA, a dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant foods and is made up of many sugar molecules linked together. However, unlike other carbohydrates, dietary fibers are bound together in such a way that it cannot be easily digested in the small intestine. As defined by the FDA, there are two types of dietary fiber: Soluble fiber: Dissolves in water to form a thick gel-like substance in the stomach. It is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine and is a source of calories. Insoluble fiber: Does not dissolve in water and passes through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact and is therefore not a source of calories. According to CODEX Alimentarius Commission (CAC), “Dietary fiber means carbohydrate polymers1 with 10 or more monomeric units2, which are not hydrolyzed by the endogenous enzymes in the small intestine of humans and belong to the following categories: Edible carbohydrate polymers naturally occurring in the food as consumed. Carbohydrate polymers, which have been obtained from food raw material by physical, enzymatic or chemical means and which have been shown to have a physiological effect of benefit to health as demonstrated by generally accepted scientific evidence to competent authorities, Synthetic carbohydrate polymers which have been shown to have a physiological effect of benefit to health as demonstrated by generally accepted scientific evidence to competent authorities.” ____ Footnote 1 states that, “When derived from a plant origin, dietary fibers may include fractions of lignin and/or other compounds associated with polysaccharides in the plant cell walls. These compounds also may be measured by certain analytical method(s) for dietary fiber. Footnote 2 states that, “Decision on whether to include carbohydrates of 3 to 9 monomeric units should be left up to national authorities.”

Dietary Fibers

Comparing 11 vendors in Dietary Fibers across 20 criteria.
All vendors(11)
Filters
Reset