Soluble/insoluble fiber.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: fiber - soluble, or insoluble??
From: abacaxi.hotmail.com (Tsu Do Nimh)
Date: 11 Jan 1997 06:15:01 -0700

>I was just reading this box of cereal.. and i'm wondering.. what's the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber?? Is one better than the other when you have diarreah??

"fiber" is the non-sugar, non-starch part of a vegetable product (just a convenient definition, and because soluble and non-soluble both give the same results on one common test for fiber)

"soluble" fiber is pectin and other large plant molecules. It will form a gel in water.
"non-soluble" is lignin, cellulose and other stuff that won't react with water.
Humans don't digest either one well, so they tend to add bulk to the feces.

Over-eating either can give you diahrrea (why did English pick THAT word - can't ever spell it) [diarrhea, diarrhoea -Henriette].
For treating it, either one in moderation will do.