You might have heard people saying – eat more fiber. However, most of you don’t know why thread (also called bulk or roughage) is suitable for health. First, let’s understand what bulk is. It’s those parts of plant foods your body can’t absorb or digest. Unlike carbohydrates, proteins, or fats which are easily broken down and absorbed, bulk isn’t digested and absorbed by your body. Instead, it passes intact through the stomach, small intestine, colon, and out of the body.
Classification Of Fiber
Table of Contents
Soluble Roughage
It easily dissolves in water and forms a gel-like material. Oats, beans, peas, carrots, and barley are the best sources of soluble roughage. You can also get it from apples, citrus fruits, and psyllium.
Insoluble Bulk
As evident, this type of fiber doesn’t dissolve in water. Wheat bran, nuts, and whole-wheat flour are the familiar sources of insoluble bulk. Vegetables such as potatoes, green beans, and cauliflower also provide insoluble roughage in reasonable quantities.
Benefits Of Fiber
Every individual takes bulk in some form or the other. However, consuming the right quantity delivers excellent results. A quick peek at the benefits will let you know its importance. It’ll also motivate you to increase your intake for better health.
Normalizes Bowel Movements
Dietary fiber enhances the volume and weight of stools and softens them. Loose, watery stools are difficult to pass, increasing the chances of constipation. By solidifying stools, roughage ensures the smooth passage of stools and decreases any instances of illness.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Keeping diabetes in check is always advisable. If you fail to do so, the level of sugar will increase, bringing about a series of health problems. Soluble roughage slows down the absorption of sugar, thus checking sugar levels within your blood. The inclusion of insoluble bulk in your regular diet also reduces the dangers of developing type 2 Diabetes.
Assists Weight Loss
Some types of fiber help to lose weight by suppressing your appetite. If you increase the intake of soluble roughage, it’ll soak up water in your intestine, slow down the absorption of nutrients, and keep you filling. In this way, your overall intake portion reduces, which is necessary for effective weight loss.
Fiber Feeds Useful Gut Bacteria
Harmless or useful bacteria promote good health. It’s essential to feed these bacteria to sustain sound health. Roughage feeds beneficial bacteria and lets them flourish all over your body. The consumption of soluble, fermentable bulk optimizes the functionality of the friendly bacteria within your gut.
Bottom Line
Dietary fiber has a series of health benefits. Normalization of bowel movements, controlled blood sugar levels, enhanced weight loss, better functionality of the useful bacteria, etc. are some of the amazing benefits of consuming bulk. If you wish to harness these varied health benefits, increase the intake of roughage, and see the difference yourself.