DIETARY FIBRE
Dt. MALLIKA GARG (Clinical Dietician, M.Sc. in Food Nutrition) Dietary Fibre Dietary fibre is the remmants of the edible part of the plants and analogus carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation in the human large intestine. Dietary fibre is that part of the food that is not digested in the gut and is considered as unavailable carbohydrate. It is not a single entity, but consists of a wide range of complex carbohydrates. Fibre present in vegetables,fruits,legumes,fenugreek seeds is slouble in nature and is relatively more effective in controlling blood glucose and serum lipids compared to the insoluble fibre present in cereals and millets. However,long term consumption of insoluble fibre also improves glucose tolerance. Diets containing high dietary fibre can reduce blood glucose and serum cholesterol,and also relieve constipation. In additi...