Question

Even though we cant digest cellulose still we are advised to eat salad and other food containing plant fibres that rich in cellulose. Why?

Answer 1

Dietary fibres:

1. Dietary fibre is an essential component of a healthy diet.
2. It could be easily traced in cereals, certain fruits and also vegetables.
3. It is a kind of carbohydrate that has indigestible parts or plant compounds which pass relatively unchanged through the stomach and also the intestines.

4. Other names by which the fibre is known include ‘bulk’ and ‘roughage’.

Importance of dietary fibre:

1. ​Though undigested, dietary fibres are very essential as these increase the stool size and prevent constipation.
2. Since it could pass relatively unobstructed within the stomach and intestines, it keeps the digestive system in our body healthy.
3. In countries with traditional diets of high-fibre, diseases like bowel cancer, coronary heart disease, and diabetes are known to be much less or common than in other countries.
4. They help in weight loss too, since it fills the belly, acting somewhat like the sponge, it is slower to be digested and absorbed hence makes one feel full.