Tag: Fibre digestion

While humans cannot digest fibre in the conventional sense, certain gut bacteria perform this task, yielding a powerful end product. This process, known as fermentation, is essential for numerous aspects of human health, from metabolism to immunity. The resulting short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have a significant impact far beyond the gut.

On average, carbohydrates are digested in 1 to 2 hours, while fats and proteins can take 3 to 6 hours; yet, the complex molecular structure of fiber means it takes even longer to digest or passes through the system largely intact. This slow transit time is a key reason behind the question, 'Why does fibre take longer to digest?'.