Which group of carbohydrates is indigestible and provides bulk for eliminating solid waste?

Dietary fibers are a group of carbohydrates that the body cannot digest. Unlike simple sugars and complex carbohydrates, which can be broken down into glucose and absorbed for energy, dietary fibers pass through the digestive system largely intact. They play a crucial role in maintaining digestive health by providing bulk to the stool, which helps facilitate regular bowel movements and prevents constipation.

Fiber can be categorized into two types: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and aids in moving food through the digestive tract. This characteristic makes dietary fibers essential for effective waste elimination.

Other carbohydrate types, such as simple sugars, complex carbohydrates, and sugar alcohols, are digestible and do not contribute the same bulk to solid waste as dietary fibers do. Thus, dietary fibers are uniquely important for digestive health and waste elimination.