In addition to its bioactive components, green tea is a rich
source of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre is the edible part of plants or
analogous carbohydrates resistant to digestion and absorption in
the human small intestine with complete or partial fermentation
in the large intestine. Dietary fibre includes the polysaccharides,
oligosaccharides, lignin, and associated plant substances (Anonymous,
2001). The lack of dietary fibre in the diet has been associated
with constipation, diverticulosis, cardiovascular disease, and
cancer (Kritchevsky, 2001). Many forms of dietary fibre are often
added to foods to lower the incidence of these disorders and dilute
calories.