Role of Fiber in Food Digestion

A balanced diet is necessary to be healthy, and a diet rich in fiber is essential to your body's digestive system.

Definition

• Fiber is a form of carbohydrate that can pass through the digestive system largely unaffected by the digestive process.

Types

• There are two types of dietary fiber. Insoluble fiber is composed of plant cell walls, and has laxative properties. Simple carbohydrates make up soluble fiber, and can help to lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

Effects

• Fiber slows the digestive process, allowing glucose to enter the bloodstream at even intervals, maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Bacteria in the colon then ferment the fiber. The organic acids produced by this process are beneficial to colon health, act as fuel for many body parts and affect metabolism.

Misconceptions

• As recently as 30 years ago, most people were unsure of fiber’s benefits, considering it an obstruction to a proper diet, reports ehealthMD.com.

Considerations

• Increased intake of dietary fiber typically relieves symptoms of constipation within hours, ehealthMD.com says.