Many epidemiological studies have reported that daily intake of dietary fiber may be effective in preventing obesity. Moreover, dietary fiber intake may lead to weight loss due to a long-term decrease in energy intake. However, elucidating whether dietary fiber exerts an obesity-preventing effect by suppressing voluntary eating behavior and determining the mechanism involved are major challenges. The energy homeostasis of the body is regulated and information is shared by the endocrine and nervous system networks, centered on the hypothalamus, connected to systems such as the digestive system and adipose tissue. Energy intake is also regulated within this network, and dietary fiber is thought to act on this in some way. Recently, several influential hypotheses have been raised as mechanisms by which dietary fiber lowers energy intake. Examples include strengthening of the intestinal hormone secretion and changes in gastrointestinal hormone secretion due to direct or indirect involvement of intestinal bacteria. Although these are intricately intertwined, they are thought to be closely related to the physicochemical properties of dietary fiber.
Key Words: dietary fiber, energy intake, glycemic index, ileal brake, intestinal bacteria |
