Health Benefits of Fiber
Nine in ten Americans do not eat enough fiber. Dietary fiber has tremendous health benefits. The following list includes a few fiber benefits:
Helps maintain or achieve a healthy weight – High-fiber foods are more filling than low-fiber foods, which can help prevent overeating and cause individuals to get full sooner and stay full longer. High-fiber foods tend to have fewer calories per volume when compared to low-fiber foods.
Lowers cholesterol levels - Soluble fiber found in oats, beans, oat bran can help lower low-density lipoprotein (or “bad”) cholesterol and total blood cholesterol.
Aids in bowel health - A diet rich in fiber normalizes bowl movements by bulking up stools, making them easier to pass. Eating adequate amounts of fiber can reduce risk for diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, gallstones and kidney stones.
Helps control blood sugar levels - Fiber can slow the absorption of sugar, helping improve blood sugar levels, and prevent type 2 diabetes.
Promotes heart health - Fiber, as mentioned, can lower cholesterol, but also helps to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
