The gut needs food too!
The large intestine plays a crucial role in digestion and Health. Fiber, which comes from our food, is essential for the intestinal bacteria that help with digestion and protect against harmful substances.
Gut Health
Gut Health is the key to your well-being!
With a length of approx. 1.5 m, the large intestine is rather short compared to the small intestine, but this does not make it any less important. This is because it takes on a relevant function as a collecting and excretory organ for metabolic processes during digestion. Both the small and large intestine are colonized by a large number of bacteria. In total, there are over 1,000 different species of bacteria that aid digestion and provide natural protection against harmful substances. Like every living organism, intestinal bacteria need nutrients to survive, multiply and function properly. They obtain this nourishment from the food we eat. However, not all of them are available, with fiber-rich foods playing a major role.
Short-chain fatty acids are produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber:
Microbial fermentation by colon bacteria produces short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate (butyric acid), propionate (propionic acid) and acetate (acetic acid). These fatty acids can have a positive effect on the intestinal microbiome. This type of carbohydrate therefore supports the gut and its physiological function as a digestive and immune organ.
Studies on the topic:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016): This study examined the role of dietary fiber in the diet and its effects on the gut microbiome. It was found that a high-fiber diet increases the production of short-chain fatty acids, which has positive effects on gut health, including supporting immune function and reducing inflammation.
Gut Microbes (2017): In this study, the influence of different dietary fibers on the gut microbiome and the production of short-chain fatty acids was analyzed. The results showed that certain dietary fibers promote the production of butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids, which leads to improved Gut Health and better gut barrier function.
Nutrients (2018): This review summarizes several studies investigating the effects of dietary fiber on the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids. The authors concluded that a high intake of dietary fiber positively alters the microbiota composition and increases the production of short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
These studies demonstrate the important health benefits of dietary fiber and the short-chain fatty acids it produces, particularly in terms of supporting the gut microbiome and promoting Gut Health.
Dietary fiber serves as a nutrient basis for the bacteria in the barbs:
Dietary fibres are largely indigestible food components and consist mainly of carbohydrates. When we hear carbohydrates, we immediately think of pasta and fast energy suppliers, which the media like to warn against as “fattening”. However, this only includes carbohydrates that are broken down into their individual sugars, e.g. glucose and fructose, during digestion. In the case of dietary fibres, the individual components are so firmly bound together that they are not broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, but are only fermented by bacteria in the large intestine and used as nutrient substrates.
Inulin from chicory is a well-known representative of the water-soluble fibers and resistant starch belongs to the water-insoluble fibers.
