Analytical dietary fiber database for the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Korea

As Koreans become more health-conscious, there has been a greater need for food composition databases for Korean foods. To assess the dietary fiber intake of the Korean population and to raise public awareness about dietary fiber, an analytical dietary fiber (DF) database was developed. A food list representing the usual diet of Koreans was developed based on the results of the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey and the 2002 Seasonal Nutrition Survey. Considering the amount and frequency of consumption, and probable high content of DF, 150 foods were selected and prepared for consumption, but not cooked, for analysis of total dietary fiber (TDF). Among the 150 foods, 50 were analyzed for soluble and insoluble dietary fiber (SDF, IDF) separately. TDF and IDF contents were measured using the AOAC 991.43 method and SDF by the HPLC method. On average, dried seaweed showed the highest TDF content (27.30 g/100 g), and legumes, the second highest (10.32 g/100 g). White rice, the main staple food of Koreans, contained 1.5 g TDF/100 g compared to brown rice with 3.3 g TDF/100 g. Other than the beverages with added fiber, the proportion of SDF (compared to IDF) was highest in garlic (72.9% SDF). With this database, TDF intake of Koreans was estimated as 19.8 g/capita/day, or 10.84 g/1000 kcal. This database will enable the assessment of DF intake of Koreans in future studies and allow for linking DF to health outcomes.