How Does Dietary Fiber Work

By Josefina Gorenstein

Dietary fibers are a part of plants that are resilient to digestion. They are compound starches, classified based on their solubility in water. Solvable fibers (pectins, gums, mucilages) dissolve in water, and effect the absorption of sugar, fat and other nutrients. Insoluble fibers (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), which are not solvable in fluids, contribute more to an greater stool weight and shorter transit time.