If cellulose were harmful to the body, we'd be in big trouble, because it's in most of the foods we eat -- or should eat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's "My Plate" program recommends that Americans fill their plates three-quarters full of fruits, vegetables and grains at each meal. Since cellulose is found in the cell walls of all plants, these recommendations indicate that this ubiquitous fiber is not harmful but is part of a healthy diet.
What Cellulose Is
Cellulose is an insoluble fiber that the human body is incapable of digesting. It is also the most abundant organic compound on Earth, according to "The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science." Other life forms, such as termites, can and do digest cellulose, which is why they can literally eat you out of house and home. Humans lack the enzymes that break down cellulose, so it travels to the colon intact and leaves the body as waste.
Characteristics of Cellulose
Cellulose is one of many types of dietary fiber that humans consume. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, cellulose is characterized as a nonviscous, non-fermentable fiber. "Viscosity" refers to a fiber's ability to form a gel-like substance in water, thus slowing the emptying of the stomach and making you feel full longer. "Fermentation" is a process wherein microbes that live in the intestines break down fiber. Some animals, such as cows, possess such microbes, but the beneficial bacteria that inhabit human intestines do not digest cellulose.
Benefits of Cellulose
Your body may not be able to absorb nutrients from cellulose, but that doesn't mean that cellulose is nutritionally useless. According to the Elmhurst College Virtual Chembook, the dietary fiber that cellulose provides helps prevent constipation and decreases elimination time so that potential carcinogens in food leave the colon sooner. Fiber also may decrease cholesterol absorption, thus helping prevent cardiovascular disease. Cellulose in particular has been found to have a protective effect against diverticular disease, a condition in which small pouches form in the colon.
Sources of Cellulose
Cellulose is ubiquitous throughout the spectrum of plant-based foods; any fruit, vegetable or grain that you consume contains cellulose. Wheat bran is an especially rich source. If you want to add more cellulose to your diet, choose whole grains and produce, rather than refined grains and fruit or vegetable juices. Cellulose is also available in fiber supplements, which the Linus Pauling Institute states are effective in treating constipation.
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