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Abstract

A gastro-activated dietary fiber comprising an insoluble polysaccharide salt and use of the gastro-activated dietary fiber in ingestible products. The gastro-activated dietary fibers may include salts of biopolymers such as alginates, carrageenans and pectins that are insoluble in water and exhibit minimal or no swelling in water. The water swelling ratio of the gastro-activated dietary fiber may 15 or less. The gastro-activation of the dietary fiber may be induced by exposure to an acidic pH of 3 or less for at least 15 minutes. Ingestible compositions containing the gastro-activated dietary fiber solubilize and provide a viscosity increase in the digestive tract as a result of activation of the dietary fiber by natural excretions of the small intestine which induce gelation of the dietary fiber. Beneficial health effects are potentially obtained by the provision of dietary fiber in this manner, without the usual disadvantages of reduced palatability and poor mouthfeel that are associated with soluble fiber-containing ingestible compositions.

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First Claim