The Benefits of Fiber

By Leo Gil

We tend to overlook a key nutrient in our diets— fiber! According to the Institute of Medicine, men and women younger than 50 years need 38 and 25 grams of fiber respectively, every day[1]. Men and women older than 50 years require 30 and 21 grams of fiber daily. So, why is fiber so important?

4 Benefits of Fiber

·         Healthy Colon and Cancer Prevention:
Fiber is crucial for a healthy digestive system, since it prevents constipation by promoting healthy bowel movement, which decreases the chances of colon cancer.[2]

·         Heart Attack Prevention:
Fiber also aids in the absorption of cholesterol in our bloodstream. This is linked to the prevention of coronary artery disease, which is directly associated with heart attacks.[3]

·         Type 2 Diabetes Prevention:
Fiber doesn’t require insulin to be digested, so a diet that is high in fiber helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. A study performed by the German Institute of Human Nutrition suggests that people who include the daily requirement of fiber into their diets are 27% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t.[4]

·         Weight Loss Promotion:
Since fiber is not broken down, it does not contribute any calories to your diet. However it does provide a feeling of fullness which battles hunger and overeating.[5]

In conclusion, fiber assists in the prevention of three major diseases which are amongst the top leading causes of death in the U.S. Give your body a nutritional boost and add some more fiber to your diet today!

 


[1] http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/many-grams-soluble-fiber-per-day-8084.html
[2] http://www.webmd.com/diet/fiber-cancer
[3] http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192
[4] http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20070515/fiber-may-fight-diabetes
[5]http://www.joslin.org/info/how_does_fiber_affect_blood_glucose_levels.html