Fill In the Fiber Gap

The benefits of dietary fiber are numerous and recognized by leading health and science communities along with government agencies around the world. Dietary fiber consumption is linked to a reduced risk of many diseases including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. Dietary fiber can help to control blood sugar level, maintain a healthy weight, reduce risk of constipation, decrease food cravings and improve overall gastrointestinal health.

Some dietary fibers help fuel your colon cells, leading to anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits. A 2011 study found that a high fiber diet reduced the risk of dying at an early age from a variety of causes, like heart disease, respiratory and infectious diseases, and cancer.

Recommended Daily Serving of Fiber

The recommended daily serving of fiber is 25-35 grams, but most Americans only consume 16 grams of fiber a day. For more information about the fiber gap and great ideas to increase your fiber intake, read these posts from consumers like you.

Benefits of Fiber

The health benefits of dietary fiber are widely recognized by experts in the health and science communities as well as government authorities.  Many scientists have linked the intake of dietary fiber to reduction in the risk of numerous diseases.  These include improvements in blood sugar and insulin response, obesity, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and high blood pressure (hypertension), and some cancers. Dietary fibers have also been proven beneficial for bowel function and intestinal transit, gastrointestinal health through improved microbiota composition, colonic fermentation and short chain fatty acid production, increasing satiety, and weight loss.

Three major mechanisms are responsible for the physiological benefits of dietary fiber: (1) bulking, (2) viscosity, and (3) fermentation.   Some dietary fibers contribute benefits through more than one mechanism – i.e., psyllium contributes both bulking and viscosity.

Did You Know?

Some dietary fibers help fuel your colon cells, leading to anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits.

These mechanisms, with different dietary fibers known for these effects, are shown in the following diagrams: