Fiber—Just the facts, ma’am.
Dietary Fiber is the part of plant foods that your body doesn’t digest. Fiber, therefore,
helps with regularity and has been shown to have other health benefits, as well.
There are two types of dietary fiber used in the labeling of food products – both
are important for good health.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is found in foods like beans
and other legumes, fruits, and oat products (e.g. Oatmeal, Cheerios®). Soluble fiber
can help lower cholesterol levels, and therefore can help reduce the risk of heart
disease.
Insoluble fiber is considered to be the “gut-healthy
fiber” because one of its roles is supporting regularity. It does not dissolve in
water and can be found in whole grain products (e.g. whole wheat bread, ready to
eat cereals made with whole grain, such as Fiber One cereals),
and vegetables.
Health benefits of fiber you can digest.
Getting the recommended levels of fiber may lead to many healthy rewards.
Weight Management
- Getting enough fiber can also help curb your hunger and help you feel satisfied,
which can help with weight management. Research suggests that people who have higher
intakes of fiber tend to have healthier body weights.
- High fiber foods, like
Fiber One cereal, may help with managing caloric intake.
Digestive Health
- The most recognized benefit of fiber is its important role in keeping the digestive
system running smoothly by promoting regularity. Fiber adds bulk to help move food
through the digestive tract.
- Along with regular exercise and plenty of water,
fiber plays an important part in maintaining digestive health.
Heart Health
- Fiber – specifically soluble fiber – may also help lower blood cholesterol levels,
thereby reducing the risk for heart disease. Fiber appears to lower cholesterol
by interfering with its absorption in the digestive tract.
Diabetes
- Fiber may also be important for people who have diabetes. Diets high in whole grain
and fiber have been shown to help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar
and cholesterol levels.
When it comes to maintaining good health, the evidence is clear—fiber can play an
important role!
