What Is the Deal With Fiber?
By Tom Herrin
You hear a lot about proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Within carbs, there are starches that are not so good and fibers that can be very good. Which is which? One thing is for sure, if you want to enjoy better health, you should be sure to get plenty of fiber. When it comes to calories, carbs that are fiber are a completely different thing from carbs that are sugars and starches. Given the same amount of volume, the fibers are usually good and used differently by your body. As opposed to sugars and starches, fibers are considered to be complex carbohydrates.
Soluble Fibers
Among the fibers, there are two kinds. Soluble fibers play a great role in keeping your heart healthy. They are able to virtually soak up fats and cholesterol and remove them from your blood; they are also able to lower your blood glucose. These types will dissolve in water, many times becoming gummy. The most recognizable foods for this are oats or oatmeal. Others are peas, beans, apples, and a few more fruits and vegetables. Many people subscribe to the idea that soluble fibers for breakfast can improve your blood dramatically.
Insoluble Fibers
The other kinds of fibers do not dissolve in water. That property gives them a greater ability to clean out your digestive system. They are extremely helpful in preventing constipation and other digestive problems that can literally make you ill. Whole wheat is often the number one item on the list of these kinds of fibers. The increase in the instances of colon cancer in Americans has been directly correlated with the consumption of white bread, which does not normally contain whole wheat. Other foods on this list are potatoes, green beans, and cauliflower, among several others.
Fiber Is Associated With Better Health
There are several other reasons that fiber can improve your health. One is that most insoluble fibers require more chewing and are slower to digest. This helps you to feel fuller longer. Another is that fiber can help to slow the absorption of sugar. This is particularly beneficial in those who are diabetic or are likely to develop it. A high fiber diet has also shown to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. With the cleaning out effect of fiber, you will definitely feel better when you include it. When it comes to improving your diet, fiber is one of the most important components that can be added, because fiber is the real deal.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.