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This is less to do with chewing and more about how most people don't have gut microbes that can handle the fiber or produce necessary quantities of phytases to
by ultimape 6y ago
This is less to do with chewing and more about how most people don't have gut microbes that can handle the fiber or produce necessary quantities of phytases to break it down.
- collyw 6y agoDo you have references I can read up on that? Not saying you are wrong but it is something I would like know more about.
- sidewndr46 6y agoI'm just curious here, you're asking for a reference on basic human biology. Have you ever noticed that people don't eat grass, bark, and other sources of fiber in quantity? Yes, we can eat it. But humans don't digest it. This has been part of human culture since before we had agriculture. I mean there is niche stuff like lactose tolerance, which only is present in some populations. That's a little different. I wasn't even aware of it until I moved out of the place I grew up.
- lotsofpulp 6y agoWhile growing up in the US, I thought lactose intolerance was the niche.
- collyw 6y agoThe OP says "most people don't have such gut microbes" implying that some people do - that's what I was asking about. I studied plenty of biology 25 years ago. Gut flora were not discuss in great detail back then. It's a relatively new focus of biology and I don't think it comes under "basic" human biology.
- sidewndr46 6y agoIf you can find me people that can digest cellulose in quantity, that's pretty damn amazing. Cattle and other animals are able to do so because they have multiple stomachs. Apparently bacteria in some of the stomachs help with this process.
- collyw 6y agoDid you miss my first sentence? The OP says "most people don't have such gut microbes" implying that some people do - that's what I was asking about.
- sidewndr46 6y agoIf I understand correctly your original comment must be highly disingenuous. You're asking for sources you know don't exist.
- rags2riches 6y agoLook up dietary fiber. It is, by definition, indigestible carbohydrates.
- TedDoesntTalk 6y agoWhat about soluble fiber?
- collyw 6y ago"most people don't have gut microbes that can handle the fiber or produce necessary quantities of phytases to break it down". Doesn't this suggest that "some" people do have such microbes? Otherwise the word "most" should have been omitted. Maybe that is where my confusion arises from.