ABSTRACT
The revival of interest in mammalian carbohydrate nutrition initially covered the energy supplying, available food carbohydrates. More recently it has included the supposedly unavailable dietary fibers. One conceptualization of dietary fiber divides it into insoluble and soluble portions. The soluble dietary fiber includes the food hydrocolloids, such as pectins, gel-forming gums, and mucilages. Protein digestibility may decrease when significant amounts of gums and mucilage are included in the diet. Animal studies indicate that gums may cause a rise in fecal nitrogen excretion. Bacterial activity may be enhanced by the presence of fermentable polysaccharide in the colon. Since some gums stimulate microflora activity in the colon, the interaction of nutrient, microflora, and nutritional status will need further study to understand what is happening to host micronutrient status. Guar gum may also affect fat metabolism in diabetics, since the levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate are reduced in diabetics receiving guar.
