[Dietetic fiber in nutrition. Prophylactic and therapeutic activity and mechanism of action].

The unabsorbable carbohydrates (dietary fibre) are contained in variable degrees in the vegetable foodstuffs. It seems by now clearly demonstrated that high residue diets (rich in unabsorbable carbohydrates) significantly prevents, although in different ways, some organic intestinal and metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.