How Pea Protein and Fiber Affect Your Health – Insights from Jakob Ytterberg’s Research

How food is broken down in the body is more complex than you might think. Jakob, a doctoral student in applied chemistry, has devoted his research to understanding how protein and fiber interact when they reach the large intestine.

Fiber is healthy because it is broken down by bacteria and produces substances that are good for the body. Protein, on the other hand, we prefer to absorb earlier, explains Jakob.

His studies show that the interaction between fiber and protein can influence how much protein reaches the large intestine – something that, in turn, can affect health.

An important insight is that different types of fiber work differently. Pea fiber, for example, breaks down less easily than more soluble fibers, but can still influence gut flora and reduce the formation of certain harmful substances from proteins.

Jakob hopes that the results of his research will be used in product development, especially for plant-based foods.

“This knowledge can help create better food products and increase understanding of how meals affect the body,” he says.

This aligns with PAN Sweden’s mission:

To provide evidence-based knowledge to make sustainable and healthy food the obvious choice – for both the planet and the consumer.