Top 5 Benefits of Fiber

1. Diarrhea and Constipation. You can use soluble fiber to treat mild diarrhea. Soluble fiber can absorb excess water in the intestine that is usually excreted. Some sources of soluble fiber include oats, nuts, beans and peas. Insoluble fiber can be used to treat constipation. It softens and increases the bulk of the stool. Sources of insoluble fiber include whole wheat products, oats, fruit skins and root vegetables.

| Fiber | Articles | FAQs | Free Diets | Forums | Guides | Recipes | Top 5 |

2. Health Foods. Foods high in fiber are typically also high in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These substances will help your body perform at its best and can even prevent certain diseases.

3. Weight Loss. Foods that are high in fiber take more time to digest. They make you feel full for a long period of time. If you're trying to lose weight, feeling full means eating less. If you eat 300 calories of a food low in fiber, you'll get hungry a lot quicker than if you had eaten a food that was 300 calories but high in fiber. Fiber can help you reduce your daily calorie intake.

4. Reduce Cholesterol Levels. When soluble fiber travels through the intestine, it binds to bile, a chemical made out of cholesterol. Once it binds to the fiber, it is excreted and more must be made. Since making bile is a very resource intensive process, our body recycles it. When it is excreted out of our system with fiber, cholesterol is used to make new bile. Eating fiber will reduce your cholesterol levels.

5. Lower Blood Pressure. Many studies have shown that eating a diet rich in fiber can lower your blood pressure which also lowers your risk of heart disease.