What is the Difference Between Fiber and Dietary Fiber?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Fiber refers to all the parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested, while dietary fiber specifically refers to the types of fiber found in foods that are safe for humans to consume. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is found in plants and is not digested by the body. There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material, which can help slow down digestion and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Some examples of soluble fiber include:
- Pectin in apples
- Beta-glucan in oats
- Inulin in asparagus and onions
Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of food through the digestive system, helping to prevent constipation. Some examples of insoluble fiber include:
- Cellulose
- Hemicellulose
- Lignin
Good sources of dietary fiber include:
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
- Fruit and vegetables
In summary, the main difference between fiber and dietary fiber is that dietary fiber refers to the types of fiber found in foods that are safe for humans to consume, while fiber generally refers to all parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested.
Comparative Table: Fiber vs Dietary Fiber
The difference between fiber and dietary fiber can be summarized as follows:
Fiber | Dietary Fiber |
---|---|
Refers to all parts of fruits and vegetables that can't be digested | Refers specifically to the indigestible portion of plant-based foods that are safe for human consumption |
Found in a wide variety of plants and made from carbohydrates and lignin molecules | Comes from parts of plants that are safe for humans to consume |
Can be dangerous if ingested from certain plants or plant parts that are not safe for human consumption | Balancing soluble and insoluble fibers is important for a healthy diet |
There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and breaks down into a gel-like substance in the colon, while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and remains intact as food moves through the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of soluble fiber sources include apples, oranges, and oats, while insoluble fiber sources include whole wheat products, fruits with edible peels and seeds, and nuts. A healthy diet should contain a mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Dietary Fiber vs Crude Fiber
- Soluble Fiber vs Insoluble Fiber
- Fibrils vs Fibers
- Fiber vs Probiotics
- Fabric vs Fibre
- Cellulosic vs Synthetic Fiber
- Natural vs Synthetic Fibers
- Dietary Cholesterol vs Blood Cholesterol
- Dietary Supplements vs Nutraceuticals
- Diet vs Nutrition
- Soluble vs Insoluble
- Cellobiose vs Cellulose
- Fenofibrate vs Fenofibric Acid
- Collagen Elastin vs Reticular Fibers
- Food vs Nutrition
- Amylose vs Cellulose
- Fibronectin vs Vitronectin
- Oatmeal vs Oats
- Prebiotics vs Probiotics