Get the Facts on Fibre

Fibre and Digestive Health

Fibre helps to maintain regularity by adding bulk to stools and drawing water into the digestive track. It stimulates the nerves in the intestine, causing contractions of the colon and moving waste through quickly. The accelerated transit time and increased bulk helps to prevent diverticulitis, hemorrhoids and constipation.

Fibre may just be the way to go when constipation is the problem. Although what constitutes constipation is not well established, diets that increase the number of bowel movements per day, improve the ease with which a stool is passed, or increase stool bulk are considered beneficial. Both soluble and insoluble fibres are necessary for regular bowel movements. Oftentimes, people use over-the-counter supplements to assist with regularity. Unfortunately, these supplements only provide soluble fibre. Studies support the benefits of the combination of soluble and insoluble fibre in alleviating constipation, but only with the consumption of an adequate fluid intake. High amounts of fibre, without fluids, can aggravate, rather then alleviate constipation. The way to go is to eat foods high in both soluble and insoluble fibres and drink lots of water to flush it down.

The best fibre for regularity and constipation in wheat bran fibre, learn more about it here.

 

- Fibre and Heart Disease
- Fibre and Weight Loss
- Fibre and Diabetes
- Fibre and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Sources: YourTotalHealth, MedicineNet