NANP Board Practice Exam

Resistant dextrins are also termed as:

1. Soluble fibers

2. Indigestible dextrins

3. Resistant starch

4. Functional proteins

The correct answer is: Indigestible dextrins

Resistant dextrins refer to a type of dietary fiber that is not fully digested in the human gastrointestinal tract. They are indeed classified as indigestible dextrins. These fibers can help support digestive health by promoting bowel regularity and serving as a substrate for beneficial gut bacteria. Resistant dextrins are produced through the enzymatic treatment of starch, leading to a structure that is resistant to digestion in the small intestine and hence gets fermented in the large intestine. This quality contributes to their classification as indigestible. The other options do not accurately describe resistant dextrins. For instance, while soluble fibers are a broad category that includes various forms of dietary fiber dissolving in water, not all soluble fibers fit the specific characteristics of resistant dextrins. Likewise, resistant starch, which is also a form of fiber that resists digestion, specifically refers to certain types of starches rather than the broader category of resistant dextrins. Lastly, functional proteins does not relate at all, as proteins are macromolecules made up of amino acids, quite distinct from the carbohydrate classifications involved with resistant dextrins.