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The Top 5 Benefits of Adding Fiber to Your Diet

    Home Digestion The Top 5 Benefits of Adding Fiber to Your Diet
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    The Top 5 Benefits of Adding Fiber to Your Diet

    By Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestion | Comments are Closed | 14 July, 2015 | 0

    Though many of us have been told to eat more fiber, many don’t really understand what that means. What is fiber exactly, and how can you incorporate it into your diet?

    Dietary fiber is a substance — abundantly found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — that your body can’t digest or absorb. You may be wondering how fiber can benefit you if you can’t digest or absorb it, but eating fiber provides many health benefits for your body. These include maintaining a healthy weight and lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

    There are two kinds of fiber:

    • Soluble fiber – When dissolving in water, soluble fiber forms a gel-like material that helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. This can be found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots and barley.
    • Insoluble fiber – Insoluble fiber enhances the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can benefit those who experience irregular bowel movements. Good sources of insoluble fiber include whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans and vegetables like cauliflower, green beans and potatoes.

    Most plant-based foods will have both kinds of fiber, but some will contain more of one than the other. Aim to eat a wide variety of fiber-rich foods to ensure you are getting enough fiber.

    How fiber can help you

    There are many ways fiber can benefit your overall health. These include:

    Normalizing bowel movements

    Dietary fiber helps to bulk up and soften your stool. An increased weight and size of stool will help your body more easily pass it through your digestive system. On the other hand, if your stools are too loose or watery, fiber can help solidify them.

    Maintaining bowel health

    Consuming a high-fiber diet can help reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids and small pouches in your colon (known as diverticulitis) by reducing inflammation.

    Lowering cholesterol levels

    Soluble fiber helps to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels and can help to reduce blood pressure and inflammation.

    Helping control blood sugar levels

    For those who have to watch their blood sugar, especially those who are diabetic, a diet high in soluble fiber can help to control blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber can slow the absorption of sugar into the blood, which helps to prevent or control type 2 diabetes.

    Achieving or maintaining a healthy weight

    High-fiber meals tend to be more filling, which will help you stay fuller for longer. High-fiber foods often take longer to chew and are “energy dense,” so you can get more food for fewer calories.

    If you would like to speak with a gastroenterologist about your digestive health, call the specialists at Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates today at (908) 483-4000 to schedule your appointment.

    dietary fiber, digestion, fiber, Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates
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    Flemington Office

    1100 Wescott Drive
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    Flemington, NJ 08822
    Phone: 908.483.4000
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    © 2016 Hunterdon Gastroenterology AssociatesFreshySites
    • Services
      • Digestive Health
        • Upper GI
        • Lower GI
        • Hemorrhoids
        • Bowel Control/ Fecal Incontinence
        • FAQs
      • Liver Disease Program
        • Hepatitis Care
        • Liver Function Testing
        • Alcohol-related Liver Disease
        • Liver Cancer
        • FAQs
      • Colon Cancer Prevention & Detection
        • Minimize Your Risk
        • Risk factors
        • Symptoms
        • FAQs
    • Education
      • Barretts
      • Celiac Disease
      • Colon Cancer Prevention
      • Crohn’s Disease
      • Digestive Health
      • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Hepatitis C
      • Pancreatic Cancer
      • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
    • Patient Resources
      • Patient Forms
      • Insurance Information
      • Procedure Instructions
      • Preparation Instructions
      • FAQs
      • Newsletter
    • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center
      • Procedures
      • Procedure Instructions
      • Preparation Instructions
    • About Us
      • Our Doctors
      • Our Staff
      • Success Stories
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Privacy policy
    • Contact
    • Online Bill Pay
      • Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates
      • Hunterdon Endosurgery Center
    Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates | Digestive Health Specialists – Flemington, NJ