Dietary Fibers and their Role as Functional Food for Human Health

Abstract

This chapter mainly summarizes the sources of dietary fibers and how they act as functional food for benefiting the human health. Dietary fibers could be soluble and insoluble in water and the major sources are fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Dietary fibers play role in the control of various disorders like cardiovascular diseases, digestive disorders, diabetes, obesity and colonic cancer. Dietary fibers benefit the human health by acting through various mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract. According to the WHO recommendations at least 25 g of dietary fiber per day should be consumed. Effect of food processing practices on the physiochemical and functional properties of dietary fibers is also covered in this chapter.