The Benefits of Fiber

Fiber plays a key role in our digestive health and optimal wellness. Dietary fibers, also known as “roughage”, are non-digestible carbohydrates that are found in plant foods. Unlike other types of carbohydrates, fiber is not digested in the body, but rather passes through the body performing important functions along the way. Read on to learn more about fiber and all its benefits for the body.

Tip 1:  Increase Your Daily Fiber Intake

Are you eating enough fiber? It is recommended that adults take in about 25-35 grams of fiber per day from food. Dietary fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains. To increase your daily fiber work to consume 5 to 10 servings of fresh vegetables daily. For breakfast, add berries and seeds to your oatmeal. For snacks eat an apple or raw veggies with hummus. For lunch and dinner add berries to your salad, whole grain bread for your sandwiches, or add beans and legumes to your soups or stews.

Tip 2: Soluble Fiber

Types of fiber include soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber attracts water and forms a gel-like substance that helps the body to slow down digestion and aids in the body maintaining a healthy weight. Soluble fiber includes foods like apples, asparagus, artichokes, avocadoes, bananas, barley, beans, berries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, dark leafy greens, legumes, lentils, nuts, oats, pears, peppers, squash and sweet potatoes.

Tip 3: Insoluble Fiber

Insoluble fiber absorbs water but does not dissolve in water.  Insoluble fiber is often termed a “bulking” agent which helps to move food and waste through the digestive system. This helps the body to have more regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. Food sources of insoluble fiber include bran, carrots, celery, cucumbers, legumes, nuts, seeds, tomatoes, and whole grains. A great source of insoluble fiber is chia seeds, which are 95% insoluble fiber. One ounce of chia seeds has 11 grams of fiber and can be easily added to smoothies, oats, cereals or salads.

Tip 4: Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Studies have shown that eating fiber helps to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as the “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber will bind to cholesterol in the small intestine, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.  Soluble fiber also helps to slow down digestion, preventing spikes in blood sugar, which allows less triglycerides to form, in turn producing less cholesterol.

Tip 5: Helps Maintain Healthy Weight  

A diet that is high in fiber rich foods has been shown to lower weight. Fiber rich foods help the body to fill up faster, stay full longer and decreases the need to eat more frequently. As fiber also binds to fat and sugar molecules, the number of calories that the body holds onto is also lowered.

Tip 6: Fiber Reduces Blood Sugar Spikes

High fiber foods, especially soluble fiber foods, help to slow down digestion and the absorption of glucose (sugar) in the body, which aids in maintaining a more balanced blood sugar level. Adding fiber to your diet will help maintain a consistent level of blood sugar in the body, rather than spikes of high and low sugars as seen with low fiber foods.

Tip 7:  Enhances the Health of Gut Bacteria

Within your intestines are several bacteria that aid the body in many processes. A diet that is high in fiber helps to “feed” these bacteria, which improves the overall health of your gut. Having a healthy gut is key to fighting off infections, is necessary for optimal digestion, maintains healthy weight and blood sugar, and even impacts the health of your brain. 

Tip 8: Reduced Constipation 

People that eat diets that are high in fiber are found to have lower rates of constipation and fewer hemorrhoids. Soluble fiber helps to bring more water to the stool, making it larger and easier to pass, while insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool allowing it to pass more quickly. Fiber assists hard stool to become softer, and

Fiber helps to regulate water content in stool. If stool is too dry, fiber will keep fluid and soften Increases weight and size of stool and softens it. Fiber can even help to solidify loose stools because it absorbs the water and adds bulk to the stool.

Fiber helps to naturally scrub and eliminate toxins from the GI tract. Soluble fiber soaks up potentially harmful compounds (like excess estrogen and unhealthy fats) and keeps them from being absorbed in the body.

Tip 9: Natural Detoxification  

People that eat diets that are high in fiber are found to have lower rates of constipation and fewer hemorrhoids. Fiber helps absorb water into the colon and increases the frequency and loosing of stools. Insoluble fiber attracts water into your stool, making it softer and easier to pass with less strain. Too much fiber can cause gas, pain, abdominal bloating and even diarrhea. It is important to find the right balance for you and your needs.  Fiber helps to regulate water content in stool. If stool is too dry, fiber will keep fluid and soften Increases weight and size of stool and softens it. Fiber can even help to solidify loose stools because it absorbs the water and adds bulk to the stool.

Tip 10: Fiber Supplementation

Getting fiber through diet is the ideal source, though when intake is low you may want to include supplementation. There are many different types of fiber supplement. Guar fiber, psyllium, glucomannan, beta-glucans,

Methylcellulose (Citrucel), Psyllium (Metamucil) – 70% soluble fiber (increase fullness and slow digestion) Wheat Dextrin (Benefiber) byproduct of wheat plant – soluble fiber – regulate digestion, stabilize blood sugar

I would love to connect with you to optimize your healthy diet and nutrition and assist you with your health goals and wellness. I believe in optimal wellness and vitality and am dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. I believe that it is never too early, or too late, to work towards being the healthiest you.