Dietary fiber is primarily found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This non-digestible carbohydrate is one of the main reasons why whole plant foods are good for you and recommended as part of a healthy diet. There are a lot of health benefits of getting enough fiber, ranging from digestion to heart health. Here are some of the biggest benefits of fiber for your health:

1. Improve Gut Health

One of the largest benefits of fiber is its positive effects on gut health. Your body can’t digest fiber and instead passes it through the digestive system into the colon where it feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut microbiome. Feeding these bacteria with a variety of types of fiber allows them to thrive, improving your gut health. Better gut health means reduced digestive problems, improved immune health, and even better mental health.

2. Lower Cholesterol

Soluble fiber like that found in oats, beans, and flaxseeds may have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. If you have high cholesterol, increasing your soluble fiber intake may help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol. Additionally, viscous fiber has a binding quality that allows it to trap excess bile and cholesterol in the digestive system, helping the body eliminate it through bowel movements instead of absorbing it into the bloodstream.

3. Control Blood Sugar

If you struggle with high blood sugar, one of the benefits of fiber that may help you is blood sugar regulation. Soluble fiber in particular has been found to slow the rate at which carbs are digested and glucose is absorbed into the blood, preventing spikes in blood sugar. This improved blood sugar management may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and the complications of hyperglycemia.

4. Manage Weight

Another one of the great benefits of fiber is its ability to aid in weight loss and weight management. Fiber-rich foods are more filling, so they are more likely to make you feel satisfied and stave off hunger longer. These foods are also less energy dense, which means they have fewer calories than the same volume of other foods. This means they can make you feel full without eating excess calories, helping you avoid overeating and maintain a caloric deficit. This is why fiber supplements are often included in weight management bundles.

5. Improve Bowel Movements

One of the most well-known benefits of fiber is that it can prevent both constipation and diarrhea. Dietary fiber adds bulk and weight to your stool, which makes it easier to pass. This encourages regular bowel movements and reduces the chance of constipation. If you have loose stools, increasing your fiber intake can help solidify the stool. This is because fiber both absorbs water and adds bulk while still keeping it soft.

6. Reduce Chronic Disease Risk

One of the most important benefits of fiber is its effects on chronic disease risk. Fiber has been associated with a lower risk of several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, so the cardiovascular benefits of fiber may even help you live longer. Getting enough fiber each day can also lower your risk of many cancers, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer, which is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

Increase Your Fiber Intake with Dietary Supplements

If you can’t get enough fiber through diet alone, you may benefit from taking fiber supplements. FiberLEAN Capsules and FiberLEAN Powder contain natural soluble fiber that can help you achieve the above benefits of fiber for your health. If you have any questions about fiber supplements or health conditions, please reach out to us at Village Discount Drugs and our knowledgeable pharmacy team will be happy to help!