• A part of plants consumed in food: Dietary fiber
Dietary fibers are derived from plants and they cannot be completely broken down by digestive enzymes.
• Added to food and is the form in fiber supplements: Functional fiber
Functional fibers are usually nondigestible forms of carbohydrate extracted from starchy food.
• Does not dissolve in water: Insoluble fiber
Insoulubile fibers are inert to digestive enzymes and they cause bulking.
• Soluble and viscous (forms a gel when wet): Soluble fiber
Solubile fibers (also called prebiotic fibers) are fermented in the colon into gases.
