Dietary Fiber from Rice Bran: Role of Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease

Whole grains, vegetables and fruits are rich sources of fiber. Although fiber is not an essential nutrient, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration diets rich in fiber are considered as an essential component of our diets. The value of fiber (also referred to as “roughage”) has been recognized since 440 BC, when Hippocrates noted the laxative effect of dietary fiber and even recommended it as a health aid. The health benefits of dietary fiber are associated with a decreased incidence of certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer of several organs, kidney stones as well as an improvement in colon health. In addition dietary fiber has made a tremendous impact on the rapidly developing field of nutraceutical field (Jalili, Wildman & Medeiros; 2000)