So, you’re looking to improve your gut health with fiber. But what exactly is fiber? Read on for a breakdown of this essential nutrient, its importance, and how you can get more fiber in your diet.
What is fiber?
Fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, is a component of plant-based food that you can’t digest or absorb. It can be categorized as prebiotic or probiotic:
- Probiotic fiber contains live bacteria that populates the gut microbiome.
- Prebiotic fiber acts like food for the bacteria in your gut microbiome.
It can also be categorized as soluble or insoluble:
- Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and turns into a gel-like substance when it does so. This then travels through the digestive tract, picking up junk along the way.
- Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water, but absorbs it. It promotes intestinal activity, helping you poop.
Fiber is an essential part of any diet. That’s why the FDA recommends that women get 25 grams of fiber daily and that men get 38 grams.
Why is fiber important?
As fiber moves through your system undigested, it keeps your gut clean and healthy. It can aid digestion and related functions like immunity and heart function, and combat issues like constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bloating, diverticulitis, and more. Since fiber improves how we absorb nutrients from our food, it can benefit the health of our hair, skin, and nails by helping our bodies process the proteins that keep them strong.
Due to the many advantages of getting enough fiber in your diet, doctors and experts recommend it to help lower the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure, and to benefit your overall health.
As you can see, fiber is an essential part of any diet. That’s why the FDA recommends that women get 25 grams of fiber daily and that men get 38 grams.
How can I get more fiber?
You can easily increase your fiber intake by eating foods that contain high percentages of fiber, such as:
- Avocados
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Beans
- Oats
- Bran
- Chia seeds
- Sweet potatoes
Even still, getting enough fiber is tough. Only 5 percent of Americans get the FDA-recommended amounts every day. That’s where fiber supplements can save the day, boosting your daily intake of fiber. Consider an all-natural supplement like Bellway, which is made with soluble, prebiotic psyllium husk fiber, no artificial ingredients, and zero sugar to make your gut even happier.
