Many people are not aware of the health benefits of fiber. Most Americans (and many in other parts of the world) do not get enough fiber in their daily diet. On average, people should eat 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed. For a 2,000 calorie diet that’s 28 grams.
If you are one that is not eating enough fiber, you need to increase the amount you eat, but do so slowly. Eating more fiber than you normally do all at once can result in bloating and excessive gas. Instead, slowly increase the amount of fiber you eat each day until you are at the recommended amount.
Helps with digestion
For our digestive systems to work correctly, we need fiber (at the recommended amounts).
Not only does it to speed up digestion and allow for proper nutrient absorption, it can also prevent diverticulosis, where small pouches called diverticula form in the intestine and trap food. If these pouches become inflamed or infected, it can turn into diverticulitis resulting in abdominal pain and diarrhea.
These undigestible carbohydrates are called fiber and comes in two types – soluble and insoluble. The insoluble type helps speeds up digestion, relieves constipation and keeps bowel movements regular.
Examples of this type of fiber include fruit and vegetable skins, such as apple, cucumber, grapes and peas. Popcorn and whole grains are other good sources of insoluble fiber.
Nutrient absorption
On the other hand, soluble fiber mixes with liquid in the large intestine to form a slow-moving gel-like substance. This allows for more nutrients absorption into the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream.
Good sources of soluble fiber include the inside of apples, oats and Brussel sprouts.
Weight loss
A side benefit of eating the recommended amounts of fiber is weight loss.
Because soluble fiber is filling and moves slower through the digestive system, you don’t go hungry as quickly as you do eating less fibrous foods.
Less snacking means less calories consumed. Over time, it all adds up to some weight loss.
Lower cholesterol
Soluble fiber can also lower cholesterol by binding to the bile in the intestinal sludge and preventing it from being absorbed through the intestines.
To make up for this loss of bile, the liver must produce more bile salts of which pulling existing cholesterol from the bloodstream is part of the process.
The lowly undigestible carbohydrate actually is very beneficial to us in the correct amounts. Be sure to eat enough on a daily basis to enjoy the good health benefits derived from it.
