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Fermentable Fiber

Meaning

Fermentable Fiber refers to a specific class of dietary carbohydrates, such as inulin, fructans, and resistant starches, that are intrinsically resistant to digestion by human enzymes in the small intestine but are instead selectively metabolized by the resident microbiota in the colon. This process of anaerobic microbial fermentation yields highly beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily butyrate, propionate, and acetate, which are crucial signaling molecules. These SCFAs profoundly influence gut barrier function, immune system modulation, and host energy metabolism, making fermentable fiber an essential nutritional component for maintaining the integrity and balance of the gut-endocrine axis.