The human digestive system is highly efficient at breaking down macronutrients into their constituent parts for energy. However, dietary fiber is a unique biological exception. It is a carbohydrate that the human body lacks the digestive enzymes to break down. Rather than providing immediate caloric energy, fiber travels through the gastrointestinal tract largely intact, performing critical structural and metabolic functions. Here is an academic breakdown of how the body utilizes the different classifications of dietary fiber, the physiological benefits, and the optimal sources. Soluble Fiber: Viscosity and Metabolic Regulation Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a viscous, gel-like substance in the digestive tract. This physical change provides two primary metabolic benefits. Glycemic Control: By creating a viscous barrier in the stomach and small intestine, soluble fiber slows the rate of gastric emptying. This delays the absorption of any accompanying glucose into the bloodstr...
Nearly twenty years ago, I started a blog called The Path is Too Deep, a geeky reference to a rare computer error message. A great deal of life has happened since then, a life I would like to share. So, here again, are some random bits of unfiltered Chris.