Which statement about dietary fiber is true?

• A. Fiber is the non-digestible part of plants; benefits include improved bowel regularity and reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• B. Fiber is a nutrient that provides energy.
• C. Fiber is digested in the stomach.
• D. Fiber is only found in animal products.

Answer: (A)

Dietary fiber is the non-digestible part of plants, and its benefits include improved bowel regularity and a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Because humans don’t have enzymes to break it down, fiber passes through the digestive system largely intact, adding bulk to stool and helping things move smoothly through the intestines. Some fibers also influence health beyond regularity: soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol and slow the rise in blood glucose after meals, which are both linked to reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Since fiber comes from plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, it is not found in animal products. Also, fiber isn’t a nutrient that provides energy in the way carbohydrates, fats, or proteins do; it isn’t digested in the stomach and provides little or no calories for the human body, though some fermentation in the gut can yield small amounts of energy.