One of the good reasons to eat fiber
As you know, there are many bacteria living in the human body. And the largest number of them are in the intestines.
Fiber is food for the microbiome, and by eating enough fiber, you are providing the bacteria with food and a safe environment to live in.
This is important not only for bacteria but also for human health.
Certain bacteria in our bodies have a critical impact on our weight, blood sugar levels, immune system, and brain function.
Why exactly is fiber critical for microflora?
The fact is that most proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are digested directly by the human body, and the bacteria in the gut get too little energy to function.
Fiber is not digested by the human digestive system, so it reaches the large intestine virtually unchanged.
Bacteria, on the other hand, produce enzymes that digest many of these fibers. For this reason, you may often hear that fiber is a prebiotic (that is, fodder for the microbiome).
Friendly flora in the gut produce nutrients beneficial to the human body, including short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). These fatty acids nourish the cells of the large intestine, leading to a reduction in intestinal inflammation and improvements in IBS, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Numerous studies show that high fiber intake is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer.
To date, no study has confirmed that it’s specifically about fiber.
And right there is the answer to your frequent question.
“Is it okay to take psyllium as a source of fiber?”
The fact is that whole natural plant foods that are rich in fiber (vegetables, greens, fruits, whole grains, and legumes) additionally contain various other beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that may influence cancer risks. And it is difficult to isolate the impact of fiber from other factors in a healthy and balanced diet.
Therefore, we read in the official recommendations that you should emphasize entire foods rich in fiber rather than fiber in your diet.
Why this is important — colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer deaths worldwide.
With care about your health,
Oksana Nazarchuk,
Nutritionist, member of HCA-RHC team, Canada
