| | Water Fasting

Plants and Short Chain Fatty Acid production

Hello, I’d like to open up a conversation on this topic, of which I am very green, so bare with!

So from what I’m reading, fiber that isn’t broken down in the small intestine then ferments in the large intestine. Is this true? Is this soluble and/or insoluble fiber? If I’m wrong, what exactly are they doing?

Continuing on with what I’ve read, the fermentation process in the colon is what creates SCFA’s that the body then uses as energy. Is this correct? If so, am I to believe I can cram down loads of high fiber greens, and I’ll be getting both the amino acids I require, as well as fat for energy?

​

Lastly, when it comes to sprouting, people tell me that the fat content within seeds is “lost” as the plant sprouts. However, if my understanding of SCFA’s is correct, does that mean that this fat content is essentially recreated through our digestion?

Would love to open up some dialogue on this, its been a bit confusing!

Thanks everyone, have a great weekend

Stop Fasting Alone.

Get a private coach and accountability partner for daily check-in's and to help you reach your fasting goals. Any kind of fasting protocol is supported.

Request more information and pricing.

Answer

Soluable fibers can be broken down partially by microbes and form SCFA. That process primarly happens in the large intestine. Yes, you can get energy from that. Some fibers are in the 2cal / gram range. Note not all soluable fibers are fermentable (e.g. methylcellulose). SCFA are rather metabolically distinct from LCFA. Lipids (ie fat) also has other things you need like choline.

Related Fasting Blogs