Fibre Definition
To lead a healthy and balanced diet, it is very important to have a balanced diet and nutrition. Nowadays, people are focusing more on their outer appearance rather than their inner growth. Our body is constantly working, providing us with all the strength and stamina we need to function throughout the day. It is also necessary that we provide them back with the same nutrition and energy to maintain balance and smooth functioning of our body.
A healthy diet includes proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fibre-rich food that supplies all the nutrition and reduces the risk of diseases. Fibres are one of the important nutrients of our body that help in maintaining and smooth functioning of our digestive system and also prevent cardiovascular diseases.
What is Fibre?
Fibres are complex carbohydrates, a type of sugar that is broken down by the body to provide glucose but cannot be digested by the human body. There are many naturally occurring plant fibres which are as follows -
Cellulose - This is the insoluble fibre found in cereal grains, fruits, and vegetables. It also has a laxative effect.
Liginins - Lignins are found in wheat, nuts, flaxseeds, vegetables, bananas, and corn barn that adds bulks to stools. It triggers mucus secretion in the colon.
Beta-Glucans - Beta-glucans act as a prebiotic and are highly fermentable and metabolised in the small intestine. These are found in oats and barley and add bulk to the stools.
Guar Gum - Guar gum acts as a thickener and has a viscous gel texture. It is also fermented and metabolised in the small intestine.
Types of Fibre
There are two types of fibres based on their nutritional value -
Soluble Fibre
Soluble fibre is a type of fibre that can dissolve in water and lower glucose levels as well as blood cholesterol.
This type of fibre has a gelatinous texture like jams.
Soluble fibres have demulcent properties that help in protecting the stomach from heartburn or gastritis.
It also helps to treat constipation and reduces cholesterol.
Examples Include - Fruits like oranges, strawberries, apples, grapefruits, peaches, plums, and bananas. Vegetables include avocado, carrot, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and legumes like kidney beans, oatmeal, flaxseed, and soybeans.
Insoluble Fibre
Insoluble fibre does not dissolve in water and helps food move through the digestive system.
Unlike soluble fibre, insoluble fibre has a dry texture.
It has a laxative effect and helps in maintaining hunger and satisfying it.
It prevents constipation and gastrointestinal blockage, or reduced bowel movements.
Insoluble fibres do not dissolve in the fluids but can stick to the other materials in the body to help form stools.
Insoluble fibre reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
Examples of insoluble fibre food include barley, brown rice, whole wheat, zucchini, cabbage, green beans, root vegetable skins, dark leafy vegetables, pumpkin, and celery.
Uses of Fibre
A high-fibre diet maintains bowel health and helps normalise bowel movements.
Fibres in our diet prevent colorectal cancer.
Fibres in the diet help to overcome constipation by increasing the weight and size of your stool as a bulky stool is easier to pass than watery stools.
A high-fibre diet lowers the risk of haemorrhoids and diverticular diseases.
Fibres reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and also soluble fibre-rich food such as oats and flaxseeds helps in lowering cholesterol levels.
People with diabetes should include soluble fibre in their diets which helps control blood sugar levels as it can slow the process of absorption of sugar.
Fibre-rich food helps to maintain health as they are more filling and satisfies hunger for a long time which allows the person to eat less.
High fibre-rich food can also lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
Difference Between Fibre and Fabric
Key Features
Fibres have the property of water holding that helps maintain weight.
Fibres are obtained from plant food that the body cannot break down further.
Children and adults need 25 to 35 grams of fibre daily to maintain a balanced diet and healthy body.
FAQs on Fibres
1. What are fibres in the context of Chemistry and fabrics?
In the context of fabrics, a fibre is a thin, thread-like strand that serves as the basic raw material for making textiles. These fibres are first twisted together to form a long, continuous thread called yarn. The yarn is then woven or knitted to create fabric, which is used to make clothing, ropes, and other items.
2. What are the two main types of fibres?
Fibres are primarily classified into two main categories based on their origin:
- Natural Fibres: These are obtained from natural sources, either plants or animals. For example, cotton is a plant fibre, while wool is an animal fibre.
- Synthetic Fibres: These are man-made fibres produced through chemical processes in factories. Examples include nylon, polyester, and acrylic.
3. What are some common examples of fibres obtained from plants and animals?
Natural fibres are sourced from both plants and animals. Key examples include:
- Plant Fibres: Cotton (from the fruit of the cotton plant), Jute (from the stem of the jute plant), and Linen (from the flax plant).
- Animal Fibres: Wool (from the fleece of sheep, goats, or yaks) and Silk (from the cocoon of the silkworm).
4. What is the basic process to convert raw cotton fibre into yarn?
The conversion of raw cotton into yarn involves two main steps. First is ginning, where the cotton fibres are separated from their seeds using a machine. After ginning, the process of spinning is performed. Spinning involves drawing out the fibres from the cotton mass and twisting them together, which strengthens them and forms a continuous thread known as yarn.
5. Are the 'fibres' used to make clothes the same as the 'dietary fibre' found in food?
No, they are fundamentally different. Textile fibres like cotton and wool are long, thin strands used to make fabrics due to their strength and flexibility. In contrast, dietary fibre is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods (like fruits, vegetables, and grains) that the human body cannot digest. While textile fibres provide structure to clothes, dietary fibre is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
6. Why are cotton clothes preferred in summer while woollen clothes are worn in winter?
This preference is due to their different properties. Cotton fibres are excellent absorbers of moisture (like sweat) and have pores that allow air to circulate, which helps in keeping the body cool. On the other hand, wool fibres have a crimped structure that traps a large amount of air. Since air is a poor conductor of heat, this trapped air prevents body heat from escaping, thus keeping the body warm in cold weather.
7. What is the difference between weaving and knitting?
Weaving and knitting are two different methods for making fabric from yarn, resulting in different fabric properties.
- Weaving is a process where two distinct sets of yarns are interlaced at right angles to each other. This creates a stable and less stretchy fabric, like that used in shirts and bedsheets.
- Knitting involves creating a fabric by forming a series of interlocking loops from a single yarn. This method produces a more flexible and stretchable fabric, commonly used for sweaters, socks, and T-shirts.
8. If natural fibres are readily available, why was it necessary to invent synthetic fibres?
Synthetic fibres were invented to overcome certain limitations of natural fibres and to meet growing demand. The primary reasons for their development include:
- Enhanced Properties: Synthetic fibres like nylon are often stronger, more durable, and more water-resistant than natural fibres.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Mass production of synthetic fibres can be cheaper and more consistent than relying on agriculture or animal rearing.
- Specific Applications: They can be engineered to have specific qualities, such as being wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, or having high elasticity, making them suitable for specialised uses like sportswear and industrial applications.
9. How is silk, an animal fibre, obtained from silkworms?
The process of obtaining silk is known as sericulture. It begins with rearing silkworms, which feed on mulberry leaves. Once a silkworm is fully grown, it spins a protective casing around itself called a cocoon, made from a single, continuous thread of raw silk secreted from its glands. To obtain the silk fibre, these cocoons are typically boiled in water. This process loosens the thread, which is then carefully unwound from the cocoon and processed into silk yarn.
