The Benefits of Fiber

The Benefits of Fiber from Elevate Fitness in Syracuse

What is Fiber?

Dietary fiber, the ingestible parts of plant-based foods, are a carbohydrate. So why would you eat MORE fiber (a carb) to lose weight? Simply put, dietary fiber, unlike other carbohydrates, isn’t broken down into sugar which is then stored in the body, and most of the dietary fiber you consume simply passes through your body.

What makes fiber truly remarkable (and productive) though, is the work it does on its way through your body. There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (does not dissolve in water, and remains largely unchanged as it is digested) and both provide massive benefits to your health and can aid in weight loss.

Fiber has been credited with the following benefits:

  1. Increasing the regularity of bowel movements and maintaining bowel health. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
  2. Decreased cholesterol. (Source: Raleigh Medical Group)
  3. Regulate blood sugar levels. (Source: The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine)
  4. Possible cancer prevention. (Certain types and under certain circumstances. Source: British Journal of Medicine)
  5. Increased longevity. (Source: American Journal of Epidemiology)
  6. Allergy prevention. (Source: Live Science)
  7. Asthma reduction (Both occurrences and severity of symptoms. Source: Scientific American)
  8. Increased heart health. (Source: WebMD)
  9. Can help reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, duodenal ulcer, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids. (Source: Pharmacy Times)
  10. Feel full longer, aiding in weight loss. (Source: Men’s Journal)

Our recommendation?

To experience the benefits of fiber, we recommend that you strive to get AT LEAST 30 grams of fiber per day (source: Harvard Health) from some of these high fiber foods.

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