AboutLeo Nollet Expertise Send me questions on the analysis and detection methods of food ingredients. How to analyze or detect food compounds or residues.
Analysis methods of amino acids, peptides, proteins, sugars, organic acids, fats, etc...
Experience I am a Ph. D. in Science
Organizations Hogeschool Gent, Ghent, Belgium
Publications Handbook of Food Analysis, M. Dekker, New York, 1996.
Food Analysis by HPLC, 2nd Ed., M. Dekker, New York, 2000.
Expert: Leo Nollet Date: 6/14/2008 Subject: food fibre and non-food
Question What is the difference between 'edible fibre' and random, nonedible things?
Wouldn't any non-toxic thing that passed through the gut undigested have
the same function as (insoluble) fibre? Does cellulose count as
'edible'/'dietary' fibre - would grass be a good source? Paper?
I imagine it would need to be fibrous - e.g. not sand/rock/calcium tablets.
What makes something dietary fibre and not just a non-food? The fact that
dietary fibre is usually found within calorific foods? Then what about things
like konjac roots and psyllium, which are sold as fairly pure fibre, but still
considered food?
Answer Dear May,
Dietary or edible fibre is the part of foods that we cannot digest but is good for our health. It is found in plants – whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds. There is no fibre in meat, fish, dairy products and refined grains (white flour or white rice).
There are two main kinds of fibre – insoluble and soluble.Insoluble fibre helps to prevent constipation. It is mostly found in wheat bran, whole grain breads and cereals, flax seeds and skins of vegetables and fruit.Soluble fibre helps to lower blood cholesterol and helps to slow down the rate that sugar goes into the blood. It is mostly found in oats, barley, psyllium, legumes and some vegetables and fruit.Both types of fibre also help to make you feel full when you eat. This can help to stop overeating. Fibre may also help to prevent diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, diverticular disease and some forms of cancer.
No, nonedible things don't have the same functions. They haven't any function in human body.
