Diet composition was linked to the share of food energy absorbed
A review of direct energy measurements found different patterns for fiber, tree nuts, and overeating, while evidence on time-restricted eating was inconsistent.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Studies of high-fiber diets and tree nuts consistently reported a lower proportion of food energy remaining after measured losses. Overeating generally increased energy lost in stool, while the proportional energy measures stayed relatively stable. Time-restricted eating findings were inconsistent. These results concern energy accounting and absorption; the abstract does not establish resulting changes in body weight or health.
Study methods varied, and results were summarized descriptively. The abstract gives no pooled effect sizes or study durations, and evidence concerning aging and disease was limited.
What was measured
Digestible energy was defined as food energy minus energy lost in stool. Metabolizable energy also subtracted urinary losses. The included studies used bomb calorimetry to measure energy, allowing the review to distinguish amounts from proportions.
Why the distinction matters
Losing more energy in stool does not necessarily mean losing a larger share of the energy consumed. The overeating findings illustrate this distinction, while the fiber and tree-nut findings describe changes in the proportion retained.
The original publication
Digestible and Metabolizable Energy Intake in Humans: a Systematic Review.
Yoshimura E, Oi N, Abe K et al.
Adv Nutr · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41655947
- Record checked
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