What is The Importance of Fiber?

What is the importance of fiber?

1. It promotes gut health
2. It improves bowel movement
3. It can fight against digestive diseases
4. It can aid in weight loss
5. It can reduce risk of diabetes
6. It can help prevent heart disease

10 grams of barley grass powder has an estimated 3 grams of fiber content. This nutrient has a lot of health benefits, but people do not get a lot from their food because of the preference for refined carbohydrates like white rice and bread. To know the importance of fiber, keep on reading!

It Promotes Gut Health

When people hear the word bacteria, most of them will think of germs and microscopic organisms that cause illnesses. But in your body, there are an estimated 40 trillion of these bacterial cells. They can be found mostly in your gut, and benefit you in many ways—one of them is digesting fiber.

Because soluble fiber acts as food for good bacteria in your gut, it increases their number, thereby also reducing inflammation and aiding digestion. They provide many benefits, from boosting the immune system to improving diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

It Improves Bowel Movement

There are 2 types of fiber—soluble and insoluble. The first one dissolves in water, while the second doesn’t. Soluble fiber can help hard stool to soften, allowing it to pass much more easily and making you more regular. On the other hand, insoluble fiber will bulk it up, which can be beneficial to those with watery stools.

Most sources of fiber will have a mix of both, and people who increased their intake experienced an improvement in chronic constipation. This condition is a typical problem, and aside from stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and not drinking a lot of water, a low fiber diet is also a common cause.

It Can Fight Against Gastrointestinal Disorders

Aside from increasing the number of bacteria in the gut and normalizing bowel movement, the beneficial effects of fiber extend to digestive disorders. According to a nutrition review on the health benefits of dietary fiber, this nutrient is helpful in various gastrointestinal disorders such as hemorrhoids, GERD, duodenal ulcer, and others.

Another review saw its positive effects in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, a disease that affects the bowels. Lastly, in a prospective study on diverticulitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the intestines, a positive connection between fiber intake and a 40% decrease in risk is seen.

It Can Aid in Weight Loss

If you’re having trouble losing weight, then eating high-fiber foods before a meal may help you. This is because it helps curb appetite, by making a person feel much fuller for longer.

Because it can’t be broken down by the digestive system, it slows the overall process, helping you avoid cravings for snacks. This results in an overall reduction of calorie intake and weight loss. If you don’t want to regain your belly fat, a study has shown that an increase in fiber intake can lower this risk.

It Can Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

According to a study published in Diabetes Research And Clinical Practice, 463 million people around the world suffer from diabetes in 2019. It is estimated to increase to 578 million in 2030, and 700 million just a few years after. This disease affects people with insulin problems, leading to increased spikes in blood sugar.

To prevent this disease, a low-carb high-fiber diet may help. A study showed that individuals who ate more rapidly absorbed carbohydrates than cereal fiber are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Instead, individuals who ate a diet of whole grains experienced a reduced risk.

It Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Apart from protecting the gut, helping you lose weight, and reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes, fiber also has heart-protecting properties. This is important because according to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the reason for 17.9 million deaths each year. As the leading cause of global fatalities, it is important to be attentive to heart health.

Coronary heart disease is a type of cardiovascular illness that affects the flow of blood to the heart. The narrowing blood vessel can sometimes clot, which can lead to a heart attack. A study with a 6 to 10-year follow-up showed that a high intake of fiber is correlated to a decreased risk of this medical condition.

Key Takeaway

The importance of fiber intake has been shown in a lot of studies. It has been scientifically researched to promote gut health, improve bowel movement and fight against gastrointestinal disorders. This effect is not limited to the digestive system, because this nutrient also has a positive impact in aiding weight loss and reducing the risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For a supplement with fiber content, you can try the Santé Barley™ capsules and powder. To boost your intake, you can also opt for the Santé FibrEnergy, a snack with barley grass, oats, and chia seeds that will surely fill your tummy with healthy goodness of fiber.