Increasing Soluble Fiber in Your Diet Will Give Your Health A Boost

Digestive problems are often at least partially due to a diet that is insufficient in fiber. Soluble fiber is a great benefit if you experience spasms in the abdomen from bowel dysfunction (IBS). Many people suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome with its bouts of diarrhea and constipation. This is a problem that can rule a person's life and cause embarrassment. While IBS can be worsened by stress, soluble fiber foods can help to reduce and ease the symptoms. Soluble fiber absorbs liquids present in the digestive tract creating a gel that stabilizes the digestive process and provides relief from cramps. It also regulates diarrhea and constipation.

Additional Health Benefits of Soluble Fiber

The soluble type of fiber in food can help to control diabetes as the hormone insulin will function better. This results in better blood sugar levels which means that a diabetic may be able to take less medication.

Soluble fiber will also help to reduce the blood cholesterol. Many best-selling books recommend eating oat bran as the solution to coronary diseases. The advantage of having ample soluble type fiber in the diet is that is that it helps the passage of bile acids through the digestive tract and so removes cholesterol from the blood.

If you have soluble fiber in your diet you will be less likely to gain weight and actually be able to lose weight more easily. Soluble fiber passes directly through the body without being absorbed and therefore contain no calories.

What Foods Contain Soluble Fiber?

Fiber is an important part of every diet because it helps to keep the digestive system running efficiently. Many foods that contain fiber have both soluble and insoluble types. Not all foods which contain fiber will also have the soluble type, but those that do are even more beneficial. Some foods that contain a lot of fiber, such as leafy, green vegetables and bran do not contain soluble fiber. These foods are still an excellent addition to any diet.

Whole grains including oats, rye, whole wheat and brown rice are a great source. Soluble type fiber can also be found in oat bran, barley, dried beans and peas, vegetables including carrots, cauliflower and sweet potatoes and fruits such as apples, bananas and pears.

There is another soluble type fiber known as psyllium. When taken in large amounts psyllium is a laxative and is most often found in hot and cold cereals. With the proper quantity of soluble fiber in your diet you will find that it acts to naturally bind the food which helps in surrounding fatty substances in the intestine and not allowing them to be absorbed.

High fiber foods are a very important part of a healthy diet. Whether you have digestive issues or not, soluble fiber foods will help to keep your body in top condition.