Category Archives: Fibre

High Carbohydrate Diets Can Be Healthy

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Robert Barrington
Posted in Carbohydrate, Fibre, Whole Grains | Comments Off on High Carbohydrate Diets Can Be Healthy

Pectin Fibre: Digestive Effects on Steroid Excretion

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Pectin is a fibre found mainly in the cell walls of fruits. Pectin is a soluble form of fibre, which means that in the aqueous environment of the gut, it absorbs water and forms a viscous gel-like substance. This transformation … Continue reading →

Posted in Bile Salts, Cholesterol, Fibre, Fruit, Pectin | Comments Off on Pectin Fibre: Digestive Effects on Steroid Excretion

Do Oats Increase Fat Excretion?

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Oats have some interesting physiological properties in humans. Oats have been extensively researched and their effects on plasma cholesterol levels are well studied. Oats are a good source of soluble fibre and this may confer some of the lipid lowering … Continue reading →

Posted in Beta glucans, Cholesterol, Fat, Fibre, Oats (Avena sativa), Weight Loss | Comments Off on Do Oats Increase Fat Excretion?

Dietary Fibre Lowers Cholesterol: The Elephant in the Room

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The lipid theory of cardiovascular disease states that dietary cholesterol and saturated fat are the cause of elevated levels of blood cholesterol. Proponents claim further that these increases in blood cholesterol then cause atherosclerosis, which drives cardiovascular disease. Many studies … Continue reading →

Posted in Bile Salts, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Digestion and Absorption, Fibre | Comments Off on Dietary Fibre Lowers Cholesterol: The Elephant in the Room

Starch Digestion Rates: Glycaemic Index

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The rise in blood sugar following a meal is an overlooked facet of health. Slow controlled rises in blood sugar produce lower insulin responses, reduce the stress place upon the liver, and decrease the flux through the de novo lipogenesis … Continue reading →

Posted in Digestion and Absorption, Fibre, Glycaemia, Starch, Whole Grains | Comments Off on Starch Digestion Rates: Glycaemic Index

Anatomy of A Bean: On The Nutritional Composition of Legumes

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Legumes or are the fruits or pod of plant belonging to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. The seeds within such pods can be harvested and dried, and the resultant product is called a pulse or grain legume. Because they are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Amylase, Amylase Inhibitors, Beans, Fibre, Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Galacto-oligosaccharides, Glycaemia, Peanut, Phytic Acid, Polyphenols, Pulses / Legumes, Soy, Tannins, Weight Loss | Comments Off on Anatomy of A Bean: On The Nutritional Composition of Legumes

The Walnut Tree

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The walnut tree (Juglans sp.) is a large deciduous tree which originates from south eastern Europe and western Asia. It has been introduced to many countries, including Britain, where it can be found growing wild, or is often grown for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alpha Linolenic Acid, Digestion and Absorption, Eicosanoids, Ellagic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids, Fibre, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Walnuts | Comments Off on The Walnut Tree

Wheat Bran Fibre Decreases Iron Absorption

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Consumption of iron with a mixed meal creates a pool of iron available for absorption. The rate and total capacity of the gut to absorb this iron depends on a number of factors. Haem iron from animal tissues is well … Continue reading →

Posted in Fibre, Iron, Phytic Acid, Red meat, Vitamin C, Wheat | Comments Off on Wheat Bran Fibre Decreases Iron Absorption

More On Iron Bioavailability: Fibre and Binding Inhibitors

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Robert Barrington

The non-haem iron in plants is poorly absorbed in humans. This relates partly to the iron being in the insoluble Fe3+ form of the mineral, a form that is used by plants for storage purposes. In addition, the iron in … Continue reading →

Posted in Calcium, Digestion and Absorption, Fibre, Iron, Phytic Acid, Vitamin C | Comments Off on More On Iron Bioavailability: Fibre and Binding Inhibitors

Soluble Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Robert Barrington

Plant fibre is an important part of the human diet. In fact, plant fibres may be conditionally essential to human health where starch forms part of the macronutrient intake. This relates to the ability of dietary fibre to modulate glucose … Continue reading →

Posted in Cereal, Cholesterol, Fibre, Fruit, Oats (Avena sativa), Pectin, Vegetables, Wheat, Whole Grains | Comments Off on Soluble Fibre and Short Chain Fatty Acids