Chapter 23, Problem 19RQ

Are all dietary fibers made of cellulose?

To determine

Whether all the dietary fibers made of cellulose.

Answer to Problem 19RQ

No, only water insoluble dietary fibers are made of cellulose.

Explanation of Solution

The water insoluble dietary fibers are made up of cellulose. The insoluble dietary fibers are rich in food sources such as brown rice. Many vitamins and nutrients are removed from the insoluble dietary fibers. The important function of the dietary fibers is to clear the undigested food or unabsorbed content present in the digestive system of the human body. The other non-cellulose based dietary fibers are water soluble having low cholesterol content and mostly contains pectin and lignin which is used as thickening agent. The water-soluble dietary fibers are not digested in the small intestine.

Conclusion:

Therefore, only water insoluble dietary fibers are made of cellulose