The Importance of Fiber in the Diet

Adding Roughage to Diet Can Improve Health

Sep 13, 2009

Fiber is an important component of a daily diet and serves a number of beneficial function in the body. Fiber can be found naturally in food and also in supplements.

Fiber can play an integral part in maintaining a healthy weight and has a variety of other health benefits as well. Increasing the amount of fiber eating daily can make an individual feel stronger, healthier, and more comfortable.

What is Fiber?

According to eHealth MD, fiber is a natural substance that comes from the outer layers of plants. Fiber is not able to be digested by the human body and passes through the digestive tract as is. Nutrients in fiber are not absorbed because fiber can not be broken down into smaller parts and is eliminated from body.

Fiber and Weight Control

Increasing fiber in the diet can help an overweight individual lose weight more easily. Including a healthy amount of fiber in the diet can help individuals who are not overweight to maintain a healthy weight. Foods that are high in fiber expand in the stomach and do not pass through the digestive tract as quickly as other foods might. This allows an individual to feel fuller after eating smaller amounts of food and to stay full longer, thus preventing overeating.

Fiber and Blood Sugar Levels

The Harvard School of Public Health explains that studies have shown that adding as little as two servings of fiber to a typical diet may prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in some individuals. Fiber helps prevent sugar from getting into the blood stream too fast by slowing down the digestion process. This helps to keep blood sugar levels stable and helps prevents spikes in blood sugar.

Fiber and a Healthy Colon

Including adequate amounts of fiber in the diet can help an individual maintain a clean and healthy colon. The bacteria in the colon breaks down fiber. The end product of this breakdown is an acid that helps maintain the lining of the colon.

Foods High in Fiber

Whole grain products such as breads, cereals, and crackers are high in fiber. Beans and nuts are high in fiber as well. Plant foods such as fruits and vegetable contain the highest amount of fiber and are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Individuals looking to increase their fiber intake can do so most easily by increasing the amounts of fruits and vegetable included in their daily diet. There are also dietary fiber supplements available on the market that can be mixed with water or taken as a pill. As with most nutrients, getting fiber from food is the best and healthiest way.

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