Dietary Fiber, an Overlooked Macronutrient for Optimal Health

Dietary fiber is a vital macronutrient for humans and provides numerous health benefits, such as lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reducing cardiovascular disease risk, and enhancing gut health.Dietary fiber remains intact in the upper digestive system and interacts with food chyme during digestion.These interactions include volume expansion, increased viscosity, and reduced nutrient absorption.This promotes satiation and reduces food intake.Fiber also slows stomach and small intestine emptying, enhancing satiety, and helping to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.In the colon, water-soluble dietary fiber ferments via gut microflora, producing metabolites with additional health benefits.Fermentation is crucial in maintaining gut health and has systemic effects on overall human health.However, dietary fiber consumption remains significantly below recommended levels, averaging only 50% of the advised intake.This review aims to elucidate the types, properties, benefits, and regulatory landscape of dietary fiber to encourage greater consumption.