The Scoop on Fiber
Dietary fiber is essential to a healthy diet, but it’s more than just the role it plays in good digestion. In fact, studies have linked a diet high in fiber to heart health, weight management, and much more. But just what is it? And where does fiber come from?
In simple terms, fiber is a type of carbohydrate that comes from plant foods. Common sources include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Meat and dairy products do not contain fiber.
There are two types of fiber—soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and breaks down in the digestive system, where it acts like a sponge to soak up toxins and waste* Insoluble fiber (also called “roughage”) does not break down in the digestive system but helps move bulk through the intestines to promote regular bowel movements.*
Am I eating enough fiber? Even though leading experts recommend eating 20 to 35 grams of fiber every day, it might surprise you to learn that the average American consumes only about 12-15 grams daily. Taking a daily fiber supplement along with eating more of the foods listed above, is a great way to add more fiber to your diet.
Dietary fiber is a critical component to good health for several reasons. Here are six good ones we can think of right off the top of our
heads:
• It helps keep you regular*
• It supports a healthy, balanced gut*
• It helps absorb toxins in the digestive tract*
• It helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels already in the normal range*
• It helps maintain cardiovascular health*
• It helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range*
Using data from a larger study focusing on risk factors associated with healthy aging, researchers in Australia examined the health data for more than 1,600 adults over 50 and determined that eating a diet rich in high-fiber foods supports healthy aging by helping to ward off disease and disability later in life. Diet and nutrition play an important role in keeping our minds and bodies healthy as we grow older, and that includes making sure we eat plenty of fiber.
“Out of all the variables that we looked at, fiber intake—which is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest—had the strongest influence,” said lead author Dr. Bamini Gopinath in a news release. Researchers also took into account daily sugar intake, total carbohydrate intake, glycemic index and glycemic load.
Gopinath went on to say that those participants who ate the most fiber on a daily basis were 80 percent more likely to live a long and healthy life and less likely to suffer from hypertension, diabetes, dementia, depression and functional disability. In other words, fiber does a lot more than just help us stay regular. Renew Life believes a healthy gut is a happy gut. For nearly two decades they have been formulating superior quality digestive care supplements to help people achieve optimal health from the inside out.* We proudly stand behind the quality, purity, and potency of every product we make.
*This content is not intended as, or should be construed as, medical advice. Consumers should consult with their physician for individual medical recommendations. The information in this article concerns Dietary Supplements. They are not drugs. Renew Life Dietary Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Renew Life does not receive compensation for studies referenced in articles on this site; products mentioned in the same article should not be considered an endorsement by the author of the study.
