Final answer:
Soluble fiber is not considered an essential nutrient, which makes statement c the false statement. Dietary fiber contributes to health and proper gastrointestinal function and includes both soluble and insoluble forms, with benefits such as regulating blood glucose levels, lowering cholesterol, and promoting regular bowel movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about dietary fiber that is NOT true is: c. Soluble fiber is considered an essential nutrient. While dietary fiber is important for health and proper gastrointestinal function, it is not classified as an essential nutrient in the same way vitamins and minerals are. Essential nutrients are substances that must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot synthesize them in sufficient quantities to meet physiological needs. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, is a type of non-starch polysaccharide with varying characteristics.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance, slowing the movement of food through the small intestine, which can help in controlling blood glucose levels and lowering blood cholesterol. Good sources include oats, apples, and beans. On the other hand, insoluble fiber, which mainly consists of cellulose, does not dissolve in water and helps in promoting peristalsis in the large intestine, reducing the risk of constipation.
The other statements given are true:
Fiber is indeed composed of long chains of monosaccharides connected by beta-glycosidic bonds that humans cannot digest (a. Fiber is composed of long chains of monosaccharides connected by a chemical bond that cannot be digested by humans). It includes forms such as cellulose and gums (b. Common dietary fiber includes cellulose and gums), and fiber is classified as either soluble or insoluble (d. Fiber exists as both soluble and insoluble fiber).