Digestible VS. Indigestible Fiber (WAS: RECIPE: Tahini (Follow-up))

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

 

Great question!

 

All fiber is a subset of carbohydrate, as is all starch and all sugar. Some

fiber is digestible ... in general, soluble, can enter into solution in

water. Such fiber is soft, the molecules relatively less complex. In

contrast, other fiber is hard, the molecules aligned in long, almost

indestructible strands. In plants, these provide the macrostructure, the

skeleton.

 

When we calculate the calories from carbohydrate in a given food, we include

those calories found in the digestible portion of the fiber, because they

are available to our organism (bioavailable). In contrast, we exclude those

calories found in the indigestible portion of the fiber, because they are

not bioavailable to us.

 

Please note that the use of the terms " digestible " and " indigestible " is

species-specific. Other species are fully capable of digesting that hard,

woody fiber.

 

Hope this helps!

Elchanan

_____

 

Helen [helensy]

Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:58 PM

 

Re: RECIPE: Tahini (Follow-up)

 

Isn't fiber in fruit also indigestible? We don't avoid ingesting fruit for

that reason. I suppose you mean the problem with sesame seeds is the fat.

 

Helen