Fiber’s structural integrity keeps plants strong – and its indigestibility keeps your digestive system healthy

If you’re over the age of 10, the World Health Organization recommends that you consume at least 25 grams of fiber every day. The best fiber-containing foods come from plants: fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. While it’s sometimes overshadowed by other nutrients, such as protein, fiber plays a significant role in gastrointestinal health, digestion and nutrient absorption. As a biochemist and someone who enjoys eating all types of foods, I find it remarkable that the structure of fiber, which is so similar to other carbohydrates, gives it all these unique functions. A tiny difference in the bonds that hold the molecules together allows your body to process a bagel differently from a raspberry. Structure dictates function In the biochemistry classes I teach, I emphasize that structure dictates function. If you’re about to cross a bridge but notice the braces are falling off or the wood is rotting, you’ll probably avoid stepping on it because the structure looks fragile. This concept is true in the food you eat as well. The structures of the molecules that make up your food require them to be broken down in different ways in order to produce the energy that fuels your…

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