We all are aware of the positive impact of a balanced diet on our health
Incorporating a diet rich in nutrients into your routine can bring a significant change in your life. Especially, the dietary fiber that has emerged as a star player.
Studies have shown the importance of fiber which is often underestimated. The new research from the University of Minnesota highlights the multiple benefits of insoluble fiber and its associated bioactive. This study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fiber in our diets for overall health and well-being. Here are some essential findings of the study that will compel you to make your diet rich in fiber.
Plant-based meals contain dietary fiber, a kind of carbohydrate that our bodies are unable to use or absorb. Its voyage through the digestive system is by no means trivial, even if it travels through it largely intact. Dietary fiber comes in two primary varieties: soluble and insoluble. Whereas insoluble fiber does not dissolve and gives the stool more volume, soluble fiber does dissolve in water and creates a gel-like consistency.
Insoluble dietary fiber can be found in a variety of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Notably, distinct bioactives found in each type of insoluble fiber including Quercetin, Resveratrol, Catechins, Anthocyanins, Lutein, Lycopene, and Beta-Carotene have been associated with lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
According to the study, processed foods may benefit from fortification with plant sources of insoluble dietary fiber and bioactive to increase their nutritious content. We can acquire important nutrients sustainably by using food production leftovers, such as peels, hulls, pulp, or pomace, which are high in fiber and bioactive.
The addition of bioactive and insoluble dietary fiber to food did not result in a decline in the goods’ acceptance by consumers. This makes it possible to create products with added fiber and higher nutritional value.
The study suggests that the findings can serve as a paradigm shift in how the food and health industries, as well as consumers, perceive insoluble dietary fiber and bioactives. This research calls for a broader awareness and education campaign on the importance of bioactives in food and health systems.
While this research provides significant insights, further study is needed to identify extraction and processing methods that can preserve and optimize bioactive compounds.
