Sufficient consumption of dietary fibre could reduce the risk of civilization diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, colon cancer and obesity. Some dietary fibres have been reported to decrease the digestion and absorption of carbohydrate
and postprandial serum glucose levels. Accordingly, dietary fibre rich products and diets have gained popularity as food
ingredients for health benefits, and have encouraged food scientists to search for new fibre sources and to develop high-fibre products. Both the composition and physicochemical properties of dietary fibres might explain their functionalities in
foods. All this information could be further extended to the understanding of the physiological effects of dietary fibres. Thus, a study of the chemical and physical properties of dietary fibre is important for exploiting the fibre as an ingredient in low-calorie foods.