What is the Difference Between Fiber and Dietary Fiber?

Fiber refers to all the parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested, while dietary fiber specifically refers to the types of fiber found in foods that are safe for humans to consume. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is found in plants and is not digested by the body. There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material, which can help slow down digestion and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Some examples of soluble fiber include:

• Pectin in apples
• Beta-glucan in oats
• Inulin in asparagus and onions

Insoluble fiber promotes the movement of food through the digestive system, helping to prevent constipation. Some examples of insoluble fiber include:

• Cellulose
• Hemicellulose
• Lignin

Good sources of dietary fiber include:

• Whole grains
• Nuts and seeds
• Fruit and vegetables

In summary, the main difference between fiber and dietary fiber is that dietary fiber refers to the types of fiber found in foods that are safe for humans to consume, while fiber generally refers to all parts of fruits and vegetables that cannot be digested.

Comparative Table: Fiber vs Dietary Fiber

The difference between fiber and dietary fiber can be summarized as follows:

There are two main types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and breaks down into a gel-like substance in the colon, while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and remains intact as food moves through the gastrointestinal tract. Examples of soluble fiber sources include apples, oranges, and oats, while insoluble fiber sources include whole wheat products, fruits with edible peels and seeds, and nuts. A healthy diet should contain a mix of both soluble and insoluble fiber.