FOOD FIBERS VERSUS OBESITY: THE UNDIGESTED NUTRIENT IN PREVENTING OVERWEIGHT

Abstract

Obesity has been gaining prominence due to its growing increase; and the functions of the fibers are already observed, as prevention of health-related implications. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of fibers on overweight and obesity. The integrative literature review was used to develop this study. As a result, studies that were in line with the inclusion / exclusion criteria were included in Article 8; the articles argue that fibers can act beneficially in complications associated or not with obesity. It was concluded that the ingestion of fibers can indirectly contribute to obesity, due to its physiological and chemical performance, to stimulate the increase of satiety, reduction of the energy intake, chelation of part of the ingested lipids and on the intestinal microbiota; in view of the above, they may contribute to calorie deficit and / or energy absorption. However, there is a need for further studies on the proposed theme.