If your childhood were anything like mine, you would have been told about the importance of fibre and why you should have more of it. Your parents would have asked you to eat your fruits and veggies while warning you against consuming too many refined carbohydrates. That is because it does not have any dietary fibre in it. But have you taken a moment to think about what the fibre in our food means and how it helps us live a healthy life?
What is Dietary Fibre?
Put in simple terms, dietary fibre is just than non-digestible carbohydrates found in certain food items. It can be divided into two categories:
Soluble Fibre: Soluble fibre dissolves in water and good gut bacteria metabolism such fibre.
Insoluble Fibre: Insoluble fibre simply does not dissolve in water.
However, a better way of classifying fibre is to divide it into the fermentable and non-fermentable fibres. Gut bacteria metabolise fermentable fibre and provide our body with energy and nutrients. One of the most widely known benefits of dietary fibre is that it helps in improving bowel movement and digestion. But it is just one of the many positive effects of having a diet that is rich in fibre.
Dietary Fibre Feeds Good Gut Bacteria
The human body is host to billions of other microorganisms like bacteria and fungus that help in the normal functioning of our body. A large portion of these microorganisms is found in our gut and help in the absorption of nutrients and minerals from the food we eat. These gut bacteria are called the gut flora or gut microbiome and plays an important part in the normal functioning of our body. Studies have found that your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in various aspects of your health, including managing blood sugar levels and weight, immunity, mood and even brain function. While most of the carbohydrates, proteins and fats are absorbed by the body for its use, it lacks enzymes needed to digest the fibre. This means that fibre reaches the intestines relatively unchanged and becomes nutrition for the gut bacteria.
Food items that are rich in fibre help in the growth of good gut bacteria as they function as a prebiotic. These good gut bacterial strains produce nutrients for the body, which includes short-chain fatty acids like acetate, butyrate etc. These short-chain fatty acids feed the cells in the colon and help in reducing gut inflammation, improve digestion and prevent issues like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and more.
Dietary Fibre Helps in Weight Loss
Studies have shown that fibre can be an effective tool in weight loss as it keeps you full for longer and reduces appetite. Certain types of fibres can soak up water in the intestine, slowing the absorption of nutrients. Thereby they make you feel fuller for longer and reducing your caloric intake. What you need to keep in mind is that there are many sources of fibre that offer different benefits. So, choosing the right kind of fibre food for your goal is the best way to go about it.
Dietary Fibre Reduces Blood Sugar Spikes
A high-fibre food has a very low glycaemic index while refined carbs have a higher glycaemic index. Eating high viscosity soluble fibre with a carb-heavy meal will reduce the blood sugar spike caused by the carbohydrates. This is especially important for people who have blood sugar issues like diabetes. It is also known to improve insulin sensitivity and reduces the chances of developing many health and lifestyle-related diseases.
Dietary Fibre Helps Control Cholesterol
Many studies have shown that a diet that is rich in fibre is effective in reducing cholesterol. This is especially true for food items that are rich in high-viscosity soluble fibre.
Dietary Fibre Reduces the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal risk is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, making it a major health concern. Studies have found that people who have diets that are rich in fibre have a reduced risk of getting colorectal cancer.
Nutriplus FibreFit Is the Way To Go
Nutritionists recommend than men and women should have an average of 38 and 25 grams of fibre per day respectively. However, the sad truth is that many of us do not get the daily required amount of fibre. This is why you should use Nutriplus FibreFit every day! Nutriplus FibreFit is made from one of the richest sources of soluble fibre, Gum Acacia. Make QNET India‘s Nutriplus FibreFit a part of your daily routine to improve your digestion, stay full for longer and protect yourselves against many lifestyle diseases. It comes in an easy to you packaging that you can carry with you anywhere you go. It also does not have any taste or odour of its own and is heat stable. Just mix it with your food or beverage and enjoy the benefits of a fibrous meal. When it comes to health, each small step matters and can add up to make a huge difference. Visit the QNET India’ eStore to pick out a pack of Nutriplus FibreFit today. What better way to assure yourself and your loved ones a healthy and happy life!
