what is fiber? really

[bosskardo]

Fiber Blend (Polydextrose, Digestion Resistant Maltodextrin, Inulin, Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, Psyllium Seed Husk, Gum Arabic).

ON fiber supplement.

On first glance it seems from ingredients 2 fiber and 2 that might halfway be fiber.

Digestion Resistant Maltodextrin? what's that supposed to be?

Polydextrose information is all over the place. Anyone has the truth?

"what is fiber" might be the next big debate after "what's the best carb".

 

[john.patterson]

Fiber Blend (Polydextrose, Digestion Resistant Maltodextrin, Inulin, Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, Psyllium Seed Husk, Gum Arabic).

ON fiber supplement.

On first glance it seems from ingredients 2 fiber and 2 that might halfway be fiber.

Digestion Resistant Maltodextrin? what's that supposed to be?

Polydextrose information is all over the place. Anyone has the truth?

"what is fiber" might be the next big debate after "what's the best carb".

Sub'd for info - this is definitely an overlooked topic. I feel like the term "fiber" is used loosely in the supplement industry. Here is what I could gather on these ingredients:

From "FiberFacts" on polydextrose:
Due to the complex linkage distribution in its highly branched structure, polydextrose resists digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and is partially fermented in the colon. Because polydextrose is not digested and only partially fermented in the gut, it has an energy value of only 1 kcal/ gram.

From "Primaforce" on digestion resistant malto:
Digestion-resistant maltodextrin is also most commonly derived from corn and wheat (as well as rice and potatoes). DRM is created by putting maltodextrin through an additional process that changes the bonds which connect the sugar units. It is indigestible because our bodies do not have the enzymes necessary to break down the new bonds. Contrary to maltodextrin, DRM does not contain calories, so does not affect blood sugar levels. However, it still offers many of the benefits of soluble/digestible fiber (Adams, 2017).

TLDR - both are modified starches that pass through the stomach undigested and are fermented/processed in the colon. Minimal calories are absorbed from these since they stomach does not have the enzymes to break them down.

 

[bosskardo]

Polydextrose still gives some calories, so from where could you say something is a fiber?
And DRM as far as I've seen, all info is from manufacturer. Might have some caloric value too.