Soluble dietary fiber (SDF)

Soluble dietary fiber is a heterogeneous group of indigestible carbohydrate polymers derived from plant-based foods that dissolve in water to form gel-like substances. It encompasses various compounds including oligosaccharides (FOS, GOS), polysaccharides (inulin, β-glucan, pectins, gums), and modified starches. These fibers are not therapeutic targets for drug development but rather dietary components that provide significant health benefits through multiple physiological mechanisms. Soluble fiber slows digestion, promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, binds cholesterol and bile acids for elimination, and helps regulate blood glucose levels. Its consumption is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved diabetes management, and lower colorectal cancer risk. Unlike traditional drug targets, soluble fiber exerts its effects through direct interaction with the digestive system and the microbiota, making it fundamentally different from molecular targets like receptors or enzymes.

Other names

Soluble fiberfermentable fiberprebiotic fiber

Not applicable as a drug target. Soluble fiber works through physiological mechanisms including: water absorption and gel formation in the digestive tract, fermentation in the colon by beneficial bacteria, binding and elimination of cholesterol and bile acids, and slowing gastric emptying