Coffee found to contain much dietary fiber

MADRID, Feb. 22 A Spanish study has found coffee, known as a source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, also contains high levels of soluble dietary fiber.

Fulgencio Saura-Calixto and M. Elena Diaz-Rubio of the Spanish National Research Council discovered coffee contains significantly higher levels of soluble dietary fiber than other commonly consumed beverages.

The researchers say coffee is a complex chemical mixture that contains more than 1,000 different compounds, some of which have been linked to good and bad effects on human health.

Although scientists have known coffee beans are rich in soluble dietary fiber, little research has been done on the topic.

In the new study, the scientists found coffee contains a significant amount of dietary fiber -- 2.5 percent to 20 percent by weight of powdered coffee bean.

The findings, say the researchers, mean consumption of 1 cup of coffee per day represents a contribution of up to 1.8 grams of the recommended intake of 20-38 grams of the essential nutrient.

The study appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

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