Undigestible Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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undigestible

[สŒnหˆdaษชdส’ษ›stษชbษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

food, material

Undigestible refers to substances that cannot be broken down and processed by the digestive system. This can apply to certain types of fibers, materials, or food components that the body is unable to digest or absorb.

Synonyms

indigestible, insoluble, unabsorbable.

Examples of usage

  • Some types of dietary fiber are considered undigestible.
  • The undigestible plastic caused environmental concerns.
  • Certain grains can have undigestible components that impact nutrition.
  • Undigestible food can lead to digestive discomfort.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Health & Nutrition

  • Some dietary fibers are considered undigestible by human enzymes, helping to maintain gut health by promoting regular bowel movements.
  • Certain foods, like tough meats or raw vegetables, may be challenging to digest for some people, causing discomfort or digestive issues.

Science

  • In chemistry, certain polymers are labeled as undigestible, meaning they resist breakdown and can pass through the digestive system unchanged.
  • Research in food technology focuses on creating dietary products with undigestible components to enhance gut health.

Literature

  • The concept of unpalatable foods appears in classic literature, often symbolizing themes of conflict or discomfort in characters' lives.
  • Contemporary authors use undigestible metaphors to discuss complex emotions or situations that are hard to process.

Culinary Arts

  • In cooking, some ingredients are intentionally left undigestible for texture, like adding whole grains for a chewy bite.
  • Gourmet chefs sometimes create dishes that play with the idea of undigestible elements, enhancing the food experience rather than traditional processing.

Origin of 'undigestible'

Main points about word origin

  • The word is formed from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', and 'digestible', which comes from the Latin 'digestus', meaning 'to separate, distribute'.
  • The usage of the term 'undigestible' dates back to the early 17th century, primarily in discussions about food and health.

The word 'undigestible' is formed from the prefix 'un-', which means 'not', combined with the root 'digest', derived from the Latin 'digestus', the past participle of 'digerere', meaning 'to distribute, arrange, or bring to order'. The suffix '-ible' comes from Latin 'ibilis', indicating capability. Thus, 'undigestible' denotes something that lacks the capability to be digested. This term is commonly used in nutritional discussions and medical contexts to describe food items that have components that the body cannot process. The development of this word reflects the growing understanding of digestion and the complexities of human nutrition, which has evolved since ancient times.