What Foods Contain Cellulose?

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Cellulose is an insoluble dietary fiber made up of glucose polymers that are found in all plant cell walls. Examples of foods that contain cellulose include leafy, green vegetables like kale, Brussels sprouts and green peas.

What Is Cellulose?

Cellulose is just one of the several types of dietary fiber that naturally occur in food sources. Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center explains that the cell walls of all plants contain cellulose. Chemically, cellulose is an abundant polymer made up of glucose molecules that are joined together by beta glycosidic bonds.

In plants, cellulose protects the plant cells from damage. But because of its sizable molecular structure, it's unable to be digested by humans. However, both ruminants such as cows and sheep, and non-ruminant herbivores like horses and camels, are able to effectively digest foods that contain cellulose, thanks to their longer digestive tracts.

According to Michigan Medicine, nondigestible fibers like cellulose are helpful for individuals dealing with constipation. The cellulose is not digested by bacteria, and instead remains in the intestine, creating a laxative effect. Foods high in cellulose fiber absorb water and increase the water content of stools, softening any hard stool that may be present in the intestine.

Foods That Contain Cellulose

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans explains that beans like navy beans, white beans and adzuki beans are foods high in cellulose fiber. The high-cellulose foods list offers a list of food sources and their fiber amounts — beans provide anywhere from 7.5 grams to 9.6 grams of dietary fiber, per half cup of cooked beans.

Read more: Fiber in Potatoes

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