ABSTRACT
Based on studies done in rural Africa, Burkitt and Trowell proposed that the consumption of diets decient in ber is associated with an increased incidence of chronic diseases such as diverticulitis, diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. In the past 35 years, evidence of the benecial effects of dietary ber (DF) in chronic diseases has been accumulated (Bingham et al. 2003; Kokke et al. 2005; Lopez-Miranda et al. 2007; Marlett et al. 2002; Zhang et al. 2006). Reports of various government agencies noted that there has been great interest in the specic effects of dietary ber on several chronic diseases. Recommendations for adult dietary ber intake generally are in the range of 20 to 35 grams per day. Children over age 2 should consume an amount equal to or greater than their age plus 5 grams per day (Williams et al. 1995). Despite dietary guidelines (DG), dietary ber intakes of the general public are well below the recommended levels. In the United States, the average American adult consumes only 14 to 15 grams of dietary ber a
CONTENTS
Dietary Fiber Intake Levels around the World ...................................................1 What Is Dietary Fiber? ............................................................................................2 Approved Health Claims .......................................................................................3 Potential Health Claim ...........................................................................................4 Potential Structure Function Claims ....................................................................4
