Chapter 12 - Water and Dietary Fibre

Question 1

Explain the importance of dietary fibre in the body.

Answer 1

Maintains a healthy digestive system, lowers blood cholesterol levels, regulates blood glucose levels, provides high satiety value

Question 2

Identify two health problems associated with a poor supply of dietary fibre.

Answer 2

• Constipation
• Colorectal cancer
• Diverticulosis
• Haemorrhoid

Question 3

State two good sources of dietary fibre.

Answer 3

• Wholemeal bread
• fruit and vegetables
• potatoes
• cereals

Question 4

State the difference between soluble and insoluble dietary fibre.

Answer 4

Insoluble fiber absorbs water to add bulk in large intestine while soluble fiber dissolves in water and swells to form a gel-like substance.

Question 5

Name the condition, which results from a deficiency of water in the body.

Answer 5

Dehydration

Question 6

Give two symptoms of dehydration.

Answer 6

• Headache 
 • Lethargy / weakness / lack of energy / fatigue / tired 
    thirst
 • Constipation 
 • Dry mouth 
 • Dizziness
 • Faint 
 • Dry / loose skin
 • Yellow / dark urine 
 • High temperature 
 • Increased heart beat 
 • Thirst 
 • Constipation 
 • Nausea / vomiting 
 • Confusion

Question 7

State two groups of people who may need to increase their water intake. Give a reason in each case.

Answer 7

• Lactating mothers – water required for production of
milk for baby

• Manual workers – water lost in perspiration/to keep
cool

• Athletes/active people – to keep cool/replace water
lost in perspiration

• Those who live in hot climates – water evaporated to
keep cool

• Those who have lost blood in accidents/surgery – fluid
volume replaced

• Sufferers from diarrhoea/vomiting – water loss must
be replaced etc.

• People who are ill – fluid needs to be replaced due to
raised temperature / sweating

• Sufferers from constipation – process impacted faeces / allow faecal transit

Question 8

Name two foods, which have a high water content.

Answer 8

• Fruit [Eg. watermelon]
• Vegetable [Eg. tomatoes/cucumber/lettuce/spinach/ rocket]
• Soup
• Milk
• Juice / soft drinks