Seven Principles of Clean Eating. We asked âclean eatingâ expert, Diane Welland, to break down the main principles of this buzz-worthy trend.
Dietary fibers can act by changing the nature of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract and by changing how other nutrients and chemicals are absorbed. Some types of soluble fiber absorb water to become a gelatinous, viscous substance which is fermented by bacteria in the digestive tract. Some types of insoluble fiber have bulking action and are not fermented. Lignin, a major dietary insoluble fiber source, may alter the rate and metabolism of soluble fibers.
Foods contain two types of fiber classified by how they react with water. Insoluble fiber, the type of fiber that adds bulk to stool, includes cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin found in the plant cell walls. Soluble fiber, found inside plant cells, includes pectin and gum. Soluble fiber turns to a gel-like substance in the intestines. It is the soluble fiber that can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels.