ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

Dietary fiber (DF), including cellulose, inulin, pectin, psyllium husk, resistant starches, arabinoxylan, etc., is widely regarded as safe and beneficial; however, its excessive or abrupt introduction can lead to adverse effects. Besides its traditional function of promoting laxation and supporting healthy digestion, DF is acknowledged as a multifunctional bioactive compound that influences systemic physiology via various gut–organ axis hypotheses. These effects stem from the fermentation of fiber by gut microbiota and the subsequent production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Emerging applications of DF include the detoxification of xenobiotics, e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, although excessive or abrupt intake may still induce undesirable effects. Omics technologies, including metagenomics for microbiome profiling, are valuable for elucidating the integrated mechanisms of DF and DF-derived SCFAs, and for developing personalized DF-based nutritional strategies. Notably, DF has been shown to alleviate metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, supported by microbiome and metabolomic evidence. Genomic variations in WNT signaling and melatonin receptor 1B have been reported to mediate interactions between DF intake and diabetes risk. In addition, SCFAs confer atheroprotective functions through epigenetic modifications, such as histone alterations. Therefore, this review provides precision nutrition strategies for DF and elucidates its functional mechanisms, integrating omics-based evidence to maximize benefits while minimizing adverse effects.

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