Essay on "Dietary Fiber and Whole Grains"

Essay 4 pages (1649 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Bran

This is a cereal grain's outer layer, rich in fat, starch, proteins, and minerals. A 31g increase in bran intake was found to yield a 35% improvement in glucose absorption. Koh- Banarjee et al. (as cited in Lattimer and Haub) found that "for every 20g/d increase in consumption of bran, body weight decreased by 0.8.lbs" (1278). Additionally, Jensen et al. (as cited in Lattimer and Haub) found that the risk of CVD significantly reduced with increasing bran intake (1278). Bran was found to reduce triglycerides and cholesterol, through decreased fat absorption and increased bile synthesis, respectively.

Cellulose

The modified forms of celluloses were found to be of more benefit to human health, than the naturals. They dissolve in water and increase viscosity in the digestive tract, hence delaying the absorption of nutrients and increasing the excretion of bile.

Resistant Starches (RS)

These are those forms of starch that are not hydrolyzed in the small intestines. Reader et al. (as cited in Lattimer and Haub) found that "7.2g of RS added to an energy bar decreased blood glucose and insulin levels" (1280). This is explained by the fact that it exhibits the properties of soluble fiber. Its ability to reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels is thought to arise from the high viscosity levels created in the digestive tract by soluble fibers.

Conclusion

It is evident that dietary fiber is significantly beneficial to human health. Wide gaps, however, still exist with regard to the mechanisms of action through which these benefits are realized. Further research, especially on the functions of the various DF components is needed. This way, people can better understand and appreciate the health benefits that come with increased consumption of dietary fibers.

Works Cited

Boland, Mike, and Moughan, Paul J., ed. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research: Nutritional Benefits of Kiwifruit. Volume 8. Waltham, MA: Academic Press, 2013. Print.

Gibson, Glenn R., ed. Food Science and Technology Bulletin: Functional Foods. Vol. 4. Berkshire: IFIS Publishing, 2008. Print.

Kasapis, Stefan, Norton, Ian T., and Ubbink, Johan B., eds. Modern Biopolymer Science: Bridging the Divide between… READ MORE

How to Reference "Dietary Fiber and Whole Grains" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

High Fiber Diet Research Proposal

Fiber

The Nutrition Source: Fiber Start Roughing it! Retrieved Mar 31, 2009 at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fiber-full-story/index.html

The Harvard School of Public Health (2009) publishes a series of nutrition-related guides. One guide details… read more

Research Proposal 5 pages (1384 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

High Fiber Diet and Serum Lipids Research Paper

High Fiber Diet and Serum Lipids

The study reported herein addresses the question of "What affect does a high fiber diet have on serum lipids in adults?"

The significance of… read more

Research Paper 8 pages (2357 words) Sources: 12 Style: APA Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

Nutrition the Familiar Food Pyramid Term Paper

Nutrition

The familiar food pyramid, introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1992, consists of the six basic food groups. In the first are fats, oil, sweets and sugars;… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1818 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

Human Nutrition Carbohydrates Are the Key Source Term Paper

Human Nutrition

Carbohydrates are the key source of energy of the human body, which uses them to produce sugar glucose to help maintain tissue protein, metabolize fat and fuel the… read more

Term Paper 1 pages (391 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

Preamble: Josephine Attributes Her Eating Disorder Case Study

PREAMBLE: Josephine attributes her eating disorder to dislike for the unhealthy food that her mother prepares and to her job as salsa instructor that demands that she regulates her weight.… read more

Case Study 4 pages (1542 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>