Dietary Fiber and Obesity Management - A Review

Physiological description of fiber implies that dietary fiber is a plant subunit that is not being degraded to absorbable subunits in the small intestine by alimentary enzymes found in human beings [1]. Generally, dietary fibers are non-starch polysaccharides including cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, gum and mucilage and non-polysaccharide (lignin). Health benefits of the consumption of fiber rich foods ranging from prevention and treatment of obesity, reduction of blood glucose and cholesterol level, glycemic regulation, and prevention of intestinal diseases, like constipation, hemorrhoid, diverticular disease and colon cancer [2]. According to recommended dietary allowances (RDA), the dietary fiber of 35g/day is recommended for healthy adults [3]. A recent study shows the gradual reduction of dietary fiber consumption and much lower intake of dietary fiber 25g/day in Western countries has been reported [4]. On the contrary, epidemiologic and cross-sectional studies indicate that lower intake of dietary fiber is associated with obesity development [5].