Development of an Integrated Total Dietary Fiber Method Consistent with the Codex Alimentarius Definition

摘要

Interest in dietary fiber is a consequence of the belief that dietary fiber contributes positively to the health/quality of life of the consumer. The physiological effects of dietary fiber are what make it of interest to the consumer, food nutritionists, and regulators. Because dietary fiber is a multicomponent mixture, it is essential that there is a clear definition and a methodology to allow measurement of the defined components. Over the past thousands of years, the human diet has changed from one based on a wide range of coarse plant materials with little animal products to one in which the plant components are limited to few plant products (which are highly milled and processed) and a larger portion of animal products. The need for coarse foods of plant origin to combat constipation can be traced back to Hippocrates in the 4th century BC (5), who commented on the laxative action of the outer layers of cereal grains.