Visualising and analysing the research trends of dietary fiber: a bibliometric study

Abstract The increasing recognition of dietary fiber’s health benefits has driven extensive research in this area. However, with the growing volume of studies, tracking emerging trends and identifying key research directions can be challenging. This study employs CiteSpace and bibliometric analysis to examine 21,434 articles from the Web of Science database, providing a comprehensive overview of dietary fiber research from 2010 to 2024. Major outcomes reveal that research in dietary fiber has shown a steady upward trend, particularly in the last five years, with China and the United States contributing the most publications. Canada, however, exhibits the highest centrality in global cooperation. The analysis identifies Nutrients , Foods , and Food Chemistry as the top journals publishing dietary fiber research. Prolific authors, such as Gidley and Zhang, along with leading institutions like the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas and the United States Department of Agriculture, are highlighted. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals research hotspots, including the functional characteristics of dietary fiber, its relationship with intestinal health, and its application in functional foods. Emerging trends focus on the development of new dietary fibers, interaction mechanisms with intestinal flora, and the role of dietary fiber in chronic disease prevention. These insights offer valuable guidance for future research directions and practical applications in nutrition and health-related industries.