Dietary fiber and energy regulation

Dietary fiber has many functions in diet, one of which may be to aid in ene rgy intake control and reduced risk for development of obesity. The role of dietary fiber in energy intake regulation and obesity development is relat ed to its unique physical and chemical properties that aid in early signals of satiation and enhanced or prolonged signals of satiety. Early signals o f satiation may be induced through cephalic- and gastric-phase responses re lated to the bulking effects of dietary fiber on energy density and palatab ility, whereas the viscosity-producing effects of certain fibers may enhanc e satiety through intestinal-phase events related to modified gastrointesti nal function and subsequent delay in fat absorption. The goal of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the role of dietary fiber in energy inta ke regulation, highlighting the relationship between fiber properties and p hysiologic action.