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New Dietary Fiber Classification for Better Health Outcomes
Australian food scientists have reclassified dietary fibers beyond the traditional soluble and insoluble categories, offering a more precise approach to nutrition.
Why It Matters
Dietary fibers from fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains play a key role in digestion, weight management, blood sugar control, heart health, and cancer prevention. However, different fibers have distinct health benefits.
A New Classification Model
Published in Food Research International, researchers at RMIT University propose classifying fibers based on five key properties:
- Backbone structure
- Water-holding capacity
- Structural charge
- Fibre matrix
- Fermentation rate
This bottom-up approach allows targeted fiber recommendations for specific health benefits, such as improving gut health through fermentation rate.
Addressing the Global Fiber Gap
Most populations, including in Europe and the U.S., fall short of the recommended 28-42 grams per day, consuming only 12-24 grams on average.
Researchers aim to apply this classification to better understand how specific fibers modulate gut microbiota for tailored health solutions.
24-03-2025