Gums are classified as soluble fiber because they are not completely digested/absorbed by the body. What is a consequence?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Gums are soluble fibers that resist complete digestion in the small intestine and are at least partially fermented by colonic bacteria, so they provide less metabolizable energy than fully digested carbohydrates like starch.

1) Relevant concepts
- Digestible carbohydrates (e.g., starch) are broken down to monosaccharides and yield ~4 kcal/g when absorbed.
- Soluble fibers (gums) are not hydrolyzed by human enzymes; colonic bacteria ferment them to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which supply usable but reduced energy (~1.5–2.5 kcal/g commonly averaged as ~2 kcal/g).
- Soluble fibers form viscous gels that slow nutrient absorption and alter intestinal transit.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Because gums are incompletely digested in the small intestine, they do not release the full caloric content typical of digestible starch.
- Fermentation to SCFAs provides some energy but less than complete enzymatic digestion of starch.
- Therefore, on a per-gram basis, gums supply fewer calories than starch.

3) Calculations (intermediate steps)
- Starch energy: 1 g starch → ~4 kcal. For 10 g starch: 10 g × 4 kcal/g = 40 kcal.
- Gums (soluble fiber) energy: approximate 1.5–2.5 kcal/g; use 2 kcal/g for illustration. For 10 g gums: 10 g × 2 kcal/g = 20 kcal.
- Comparison: 20 kcal (gums) < 40 kcal (starch) → gums supply fewer calories.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- The core reason is incomplete digestion and partial fermentation: less digestible carbohydrate means lower caloric yield per gram than starch, so "they supply fewer calories than starch" is the correct consequence.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- "They cause GI blockages": insoluble fibers or very large, non-hydrating masses can contribute to obstruction; soluble gums typically form gels and are unlikely to cause blockages.
- "They have a laxative effect": laxative (bulking) effects are more characteristic of insoluble fibers; soluble fibers can soften stool but are not primarily laxatives.
- "They speed absorption of glucose": soluble, viscous fibers slow gastric emptying and glucose absorption, not speed it.

6) Conclusion
The correct choice is "they supply fewer calories than starch," which matches the provided answer.

Gums are classified as soluble fiber because they are not completely digested/absorbed by the body. What is a consequence?单项选择题

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