Hemicellulose is any of several heteropolymers (matrix polysaccharides), such as arabinoxylans, present along with cellulose in almost all plant cell walls. While cellulose is crystalline, strong, and resistant to hydrolysis, hemicellulose has a random, amorphous structure with little strength. It is easily hydrolyzed by dilute acid or base as well as a myriad of hemicellulase enzymes.
Contents
Uses
- Hemicellulase is a fairly complex enzyme, and there are different permutations of hemicellulase. Different types of this enzyme have been used for different purposes in food technologies, particularly for its ability to enhance the quality of dough, as well as produce fruit juices and alcoholic beverages
Benefits
- May Reduce Candida
Some research suggests that an increase in this enzyme can help prevent and reduce yeast infestations such as Candida. This is perhaps related to the fact that the cell wall of candida is composed of hemicellulose. Again, as hemicellulase digests hemicellulose, it may help in reducing Candida.
- Better Digestive Capacity with Aging
Taking digestive enzymes such as hemicellulase can counteract the net loss of enzymes that occurs with aging, whether due to a loss in pancreatic production of enzymes or a change in beneficial flora in the gut. Research supports this. In Japan, scientists have confirmed that intestinal enzyme output showed a gradual decrease with age. Individuals 65 years and older were tested, and women, in particular, were found to have the sharpest declines in enzyme health.
- Improves Overall Health
Animal studies suggest that supplementing with hemicellulase in feedings helps not only increase nutrient digestibility but also betters performance and boosts food conversion ratio. One 2005 study published in the Animal Science Journal found that hemicellulase could boost overall health
Cautions
- No side effects are known.
Interactions
- Not known.
Other names
- polyose
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemicellulose
GlobalHealingCenter, https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-hemicellulase/