FIGURE 2.

Viscous and gel-forming linear polymers. Drawings representing viscous linear polymers (top) and gel-forming linear polymers (bottom). Long-chain linear polymers orient parallel to adjacent fibers and increase viscosity in a concentration-dependent manner. Some long-chain linear polymers also can form cross-links that create a gel in a concentration-dependent manner (behave as a viscoelastic solid). Gel formation is an important driver of several metabolic health benefits for dietary fiber supplements, including cholesterol lowering, improved glycemic control, satiety, weight control, and stool normalization (soften hard stool in constipation and firm loose/liquid stool in diarrhea). (Drawings recreated with permission from John D. Keller, Jr, Keller Konsulting LLC, Freehold, NJ.)