Pectin digestion in humans

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Abstract
The digestibility of pectin, a component of dietary fiber was investigated in humans. The groups studied comprised healthy people with intact gastrointestinal tracts, and patients who had undergone total colectomy followed by ileostomy in the management of ulcerative colitis. The pectin content of the individual plant foods in the diet and the pectin content of the excreta were determined. Some loss of pectin occurred in the small intestine but most of the pectin was degraded in the large intestine.