OPTIMIZING DIETARY FIBER CONSUMPTION FOR METABOLIC HEALTH

1) Using a database of fiber profiles for 244 foods, determine the fiber profiles for several recommended high fiber diets. These will include diets recommended by the Institute of Medicine to meet recommended fiber intakes.2) Using an in vitro digestion method, determine how the actual fiber levels in the recommended diets compare to estimated levels derived from the database.3) Evaluate the relative fiber composition (i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, β-glucan) of available fiber extracts from fruits and grains.