Fibre is a carbohydrate that is found in plant cell walls. There are two main types of fibre; soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre dissolves in the water in the digestive system to create a sticky gel like substance whilst insoluble fibre absorbs this water and expands in the digestive tract. Both types contain no calories, no vitamins and cannot be digested. Despite this fibre is still vital to your health and should be a key part of every persons diet. In this article I will be outlining why fibre is so important by providing you with four of its fantastic benefits.
1) IT CAN REDUCE BOWEL PROBLEMS:- One of the main insoluble fibre benefits is that it removes waste products from your digestive system. It does this by absorbing water and expanding in the digestive tract, then moving through the digestive system and scraping the walls clean of waste materials as it goes. Not only does this reduce bowel problems such as constipation but it is also thought to make you less likely to contract bowel disease as potentially harmful toxins are removed with the waste material.
2) IT CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT:- As I mentioned above fibre contains no calories and so foods that are rich in fibre are generally lower in calories. For example, wholemeal bread generally contains less calories than white bread. On top of this soluble fibre holds foods in your digestive tract for longer which helps suppress your appetite. Therefore, by eating foods that are full of fibre you can give your weight loss plans a significant boost.
3) IT CAN HELP YOU ABSORB THE NUTRIENTS FROM YOUR FOOD:- One of the main soluble fibre benefits is that it holds food in your digestive tract for longer. This allows your body to fully absorb any vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the food may contain. Your body requires vitamins and minerals to function efficiently so absorbing them fully is essential for optimal health.
4) IT CAN MODERATE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS:- Another benefit of soluble fibre is that it slows down digestion. This means that food is converted into blood sugar and released into the bloodstream slowly which helps keep them stable. Keeping your blood sugar under control has a number of benefits including having a more even distribution of energy throughout the day and a reduced risk of organ damage.
As you can see there are many fibre benefits. Fibre is not just required for proper digestion and a healthy bowel. It is also essential to your overall health. If you are currently not getting enough fibre then start making some changes to your diet today. Try and have a piece of fruit or some vegetables with every meal and you will be well on your way to realising the full benefits of fibre.
Author Resource:-
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the benefits of fibre and get 365 free daily fitness tips by visiting his websites.