Read: Reasons Why Fiber Is A Nutrient You Must Never Miss Out On!

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. It can help prevent heart diseases, diabetes, weight gain, some types of cancers and also improve digestive health. However, we always misjudge the amount of fiber that our body needs. It is very important to include fiber in one’s diet, but it is equally important to know the amount.

Although dietary fiber is not a nutrient as such, it is nevertheless an essential component of our diets. The fact that it passes through the body without getting absorbed is the main reason one should consume it.

Importance of Fiber

Diets with fiber from fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans and whole grains provide other very essential nutrients and components fiber for a good health. Dietary fiber can be categorized into soluble and insoluble fibre. Insoluble fibre helps prevent constipation and facilitate good bowel movement and also has a protective effect on colon cancer. Soluble fibre slows digestion, thus slowing the absorption of carbohydrates and lowering rise in blood glucose.

While prevention of constipation, improved blood glucose levels, and blood lipid profiles predominate as beneficial outcomes of a diet high in dietary fibre, other benefits are worth noting too. For example, because fibre provides bulk in the diet, without added calories, it can have a satiating effect on appetite thus helping in weight management.