The major types of insoluble fiber present in the human diet include some kinds of hemicellulose and beta-glucan, cellulose, lignin, chitin, and resistant starch. (10), Beta-glucans are a class of fibers found in the cell walls of certain types of yeast, fungi, bacteria, and plant foods such as oats, barley, rye, and mushrooms. Soluble fiber attracts water and ultimately becomes a gel during normal digestive processes. Prebiotics are compounds that support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. As Chris has discussed at length in several articles, including âHeal Your Gut, Heal Your Brain,â the goings-on of the gut significantly impact brain health, mood, and behavior via this axis.
(50), Green tea doesnât contain fiber, but it does contain polyphenols with prebiotic properties. Now that weâve discussed the compositional differences between fiber, starch, and prebiotics, letâs talk about health benefits. A critical feature of soluble fiber is that it slows the movement of food through the digestive tract; this effect is helpful for people who tend to have loose stools. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) categorizes fiber as either dietary fiber or functional fiber.