We have all seen reports about how good fiber is for you. It seems to be on half the boxes I read when I go to the grocery store. From all the claims that are made about fiber, you would think it can cure almost anything. Old people seem to require a lot of it. So what is fiber?
When people talk about fiber in foods, they mean dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is the parts of plants that do not break down in the body. These plant parts absorb water in the body as it passes through the digestive system.
Fiber comes in two varieties, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. This type of fiber helps fight cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. From the American Heart Association's website, "Foods high in soluble fiber include oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp".
Insoluble fibers absorb water and get bulky. This softens bowel movements and encourages them to occur more frequently. This is the type of fiber older people seek to help fight issues with their colon. From the American Heart Association's website, "Foods high in insoluble fiber include whole-wheat breads, wheat cereals, wheat bran, rye, rice, barley, most other grains, cabbage, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower and apple skin. "
Our digestive system helps process foods and prepare wastes to be expelled by the urinary system. On its way through the body, Fiber acts like a rake, picking up waste and toxins that cause diseases in the body. Also, its water absorption property softens up the waste products, making them easier to pass.In helping to move our digestive system along, fiber fixes other issues of our body as a side effect. Pretty neat, huh?
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