Presents the latest research on the analysis, metabolism, function, and physicochemical properties of fiber, fiber concentrates, and bioactive isolates--exploring the effect of fiber on chronic disease, cardiovascular health, cancer, and diabetes. Examines food applications and the efficacy and safety of psyllium, sugar beet fiber, pectin, alginate, gum arabic, and rice bran.

"Presents the latest research on the analysis, metabolism, function, and physicochemical properties of fiber, fiber concentrates, and bioactive isolates--exploring the effect of fiber on chronic disease, cardiovascular health, cancer, and diabetes. Examines food applications and the efficacy and safety of psyllium, sugar beet fiber, pectin, alginate, gum arabic, and rice bran "

"Explores the effects of complex carbohydrates (starch, gums, and dietary fibers) on human physiological function and establishes an appropriate dietary intake level for inclusion on nutritional labels. Addresses current research, applications, and implementation issues."

While there is little dispute that probiotics and prebiotics, alone and together, have been proven to promote gastrointestinal health and proper immune function, the challenge faced by researchers is finding not only the right combinations, but also finding those that are fully compatible with the formulation, processing, packaging, and distribution of functional foods. The Handbook of Prebiotics and Probiotics Ingredients: Health Benefits and Food Applications comprehensively explores these variables and highlights the most current biological research and food applications. In this volume, a team of experts offers insight into the many facets of these products, describing the prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic applications in use today as well as those currently being studied. The book first examines the sources of prebiotics and probiotics and then describes the physiological functions of both products. The contributors discuss promising applications for a plethora of disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, pediatric diarrhea, cancer, and various chronic diseases. The Handbook of Prebiotics and Probiotics Ingredients: Health Benefits and Food Applications contains chapters contributed by experts from around the world. The book takes a global perspective, providing a thorough reference for product developers and regulatory agencies, as well as for nutritionists and forward-thinking professionals.

This book summarizes available fiber sources and how they can be incorporated into new food products to provide improved health benefits. It rigorously examines health claims, recent research, and contradictory data; covers fiber for weight and glycemic control, and intestinal regularity; and discusses how food producers can find fiber sources and include finer in their products. Critically examining current research and future directions, this resource blends coverage of the latest scientific information on the health benefits of fiber with information on how to formulate foods with higher concentrations of this vital nutrient.