Research

Mixed

Resistant starch and nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs) are not digested in the small intestine but are fermented by colon microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), contributing to health benefits.

Include sources of resistant starch (like cooled cooked potatoes or rice) and nonstarch polysaccharides (vegetables, whole grains) in your diet. These components are not fully digested in the small intestine but are fermented by gut bacteria to produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids, supporting colon health.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Although available starch is readily digested in the small intestine, resistant starch (RS) and cell wall polysaccharides (or nonstarch polysaccharides, NSPs) are not digested, but are the major components of dietary fiber and are fermented by the colon microbiota to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
Alison Lovegrove et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · 2015

Why this rating

This is a critical review paper summarizing established knowledge, citing multiple primary sources, but it is not a primary clinical trial itself.

Source

Role of polysaccharides in food, digestion, and health

Alison Lovegrove et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · 2015

DOI 10.1080/10408398.2014.939263

narrative_reviewCited 581×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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