Confused by fiber? Well, you’re not alone. Most people are!!
Is added fiber as good as natural fiber??
On average, it is recommended that women get 25 grams of fiber daily and men get 35 grams.
Fiber is naturally found in beans, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Now fiber is also added to breakfast cereals as well.
But does “added fiber” have the same health benefits??
Any increase in fiber intake is positive
If the only way you will get enough fiber is by adding it to foods, it is still beneficial.
There are actually many specific types of fibers that have health benefits.
For example, beta glucan, a soluble fiber in oats and barley traps dietary cholesterol, and takes it out of the body as waste.
Fructo-oligosaccharide another soluble fiber in fruits helps in feeding the good bacteria in the digestive tract, keeping it healthy.
And while naturally fiber- rich foods contain a mixture of different fibers, foods with added fiber generally contain only one type such beta glucan or fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS).
CONCLUSION:
Ideally people should eat naturally fiber- rich foods because they contain a mix of different fibers as well as important vitamins, minerals and photochemicals.
Get your fiber from natural sources first such as beans, fruits, veggies and whole rains.
Then use foods with “added fiber” to boost your recommended intake level 🙂
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