How does fermented fiber increase fecal bulk?

How does fermented fiber increase fecal bulk?

• A. Fermented fiber encourages colonic bacterial growth adding to fecal mass
• B. Fermented fiber is completely absorbed in the colon
• C. Fermented fiber reduces stool water content
• D. Fermented fiber breaks down into simple sugars

Answer: (A)

Fermented fiber increases fecal bulk by feeding colonic bacteria, which multiply and add their own biomass to the stool. When the colon ferments soluble, fermentable fiber, the resident microbes proliferate and become part of the fecal mass, contributing to stool volume. Although some fermentation products like short-chain fatty acids are absorbed by colon cells, the resulting microbial mass plus the water-holding properties of the fiber still increase stool bulk. The other ideas don’t fit because this fiber isn’t fully absorbed in the colon, it isn’t broken down into simple sugars, and it doesn’t reduce stool water content.

Fermented fiber increases fecal bulk by feeding colonic bacteria, which multiply and add their own biomass to the stool. When the colon ferments soluble, fermentable fiber, the resident microbes proliferate and become part of the fecal mass, contributing to stool volume. Although some fermentation products like short-chain fatty acids are absorbed by colon cells, the resulting microbial mass plus the water-holding properties of the fiber still increase stool bulk. The other ideas don’t fit because this fiber isn’t fully absorbed in the colon, it isn’t broken down into simple sugars, and it doesn’t reduce stool water content.