Health Benefits of a High Fibre Diet
Fibre, or roughage, is responsible for giving general overall health and a lack of it in your diet can lead to poor digestion, stomach problems and other related ailments. Fibre helps to push food through the digestive tract and eliminate waste effectively. If waste is not eliminated then undigested food can reside in the stomach and basically rot there and release toxins into your body.
Fibre also helps you to lose weight. You will not eat as much as when fibre reaches your stomach it will, effectively, act like a sponge soaking up water. Due to the fact that the fibre takes a longer period to break down than other food it will give you a feeling of fullness and satisfaction and, therefore, reduce cravings.
Most fibre rich foods are also very low in calories and very low in fat. Another benefit of these attributes is the prevention of cardiovascular disease which is caused by hardening of the arteries because of the consumption of high fat foods. Fibre rich foods are also high in vitamins and minerals which are essential for proper bodily functions.
Other diseases and ailments which fibre can help prevent because of its very effective elimination characteristics include bowel cancer, piles, constipation and improve overall digestion. A high fibre diet also aids in lowering bad cholesterol, soluble fibre has been proven to have cholesterol lowering properties.
The majority of people who eat a western diet do not eat enough fibre, the recommended daily guidelines suggest consuming between 10g to 25g. In countries where the western diet is not followed diets are high in fibre and the inhabitants tend to have less diseases than their western counterparts. In these countries the rate of coronary heart disease is also considerably lower than those countries where less fibre is eaten.
Which foods are the best sources of fibre? There is a large variety of foods including fruits, grains and vegetables, which will give you the recommended daily intake of fibre if incorporated into your diet. Wholegrain foods include wholegrain breads, muesli, baked beans, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, porridge, oatmeal, dried fruits, nuts and breakfast cereals such as Weetabix or Shredded Wheat. Fruits which are are a good source of fibre include apples, bananas, blueberries, pears, strawberries, raisins and oranges.
Some of the best high fibre vegetables include asparagus, broccoli, turnips, potatoes (jacket potato with skin), sweet potatoes, green peas, carrots, cauliflower and spinach.
When one switches to a high fibre diet there may be an increase in flatulence for a short period but this quite normal whilst the stomach adjusts to your new regime. The health and well-being benefits of eating a high fibre diet are many so make a start now and increase your daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and wholegrain foods, you will not regret it.