Recent Advances in Dietary Fiber of Hawthorn.

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge) has abundant resources in China and has been known as a medicinal food product. Modern research showed that fruits of hawthorn are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and a variety of phytochemicals which appear to be primarily responsible for the wide health benefits, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, anti -inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Recent advances in dietary fiber of hawthorn was reviewed, included its health effects, content analysis and the methods of extraction, in order to provide reference for further research, development and utilization of dietary fiber of Hawthorn fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]