For some reason, fiber just doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Despite the fact that fiber doesn’t provide any calories and has numerous health benefits, Americans tend to eat only about 15 grams per day, which is barely half of what is recommended. We believe that fiber is truly one of our best friends in health, so let us introduce you.

What is fiber?

Fiber is a broad term used to describe a really special group of carbohydrates. Unlike other forms of carbohydrate, fiber isn’t something our bodies can digest — and the fact that it’s indigestible gives it unique health properties compared with other nutrients. Although there are numerous types of fiber, the two main types are insoluble and soluble.

Insoluble fiber

The insoluble type of fiber, which does not dissolve readily in water, includes cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignins and is found mostly in the bran portion of whole grains such as brown rice and wheat.

Soluble fiber

The soluble type of fiber tends to swell and form a gel when mixed with water (such as in your intestine) and includes pectins, gums, and mucilages. Bacteria in the large intestine also easily metabolize soluble fiber. Oats, apples, bananas, barley, and many beans are great sources of soluble fiber.

Health benefits of fiber

• Intestinal health. Most people are well aware that eating adequate fiber helps promote intestinal health, but they may not understand how it actually works. Since your body cannot digest it, fiber travels through the intestine attracting water along the way. This causes the stool to enlarge and soften, which enhances your body’s natural process of elimination. If you eat too little fiber, the result can be constipation or even diverticulosis.
• Cardiovascular health. A diet high in soluble fiber, like that found in oats and oat bran, can help reduce cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health. The way this actually works is amazing. As soluble fiber passes through the digestive system, it binds up bile acids and removes them from the body. As it turns out, the body (actually the liver) makes bile acids from cholesterol. So, in order to make new bile acids, the liver pulls cholesterol from the bloodstream, thereby lowering the cholesterol level in your blood. Soluble fiber can also bind up or trap some of the cholesterol from your diet, which can prevent cholesterol from entering the bloodstream in the first place.
• Blood sugar control. A diet high in soluble fiber can slow the absorption of glucose (blood sugar) from the small intestine into the bloodstream. This effect can help manage blood sugar levels, which is essential to good health.
• Weight control. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise in the United States, it becomes even more important to identify any potential allies in managing weight. Fiber may be one of those allies. High-fiber foods help you feel fuller longer but without providing any calories. Since weight loss ultimately boils down to reducing calories (and hopefully burning more with exercise, too), eating lots of fiber helps you do it in a way that’s still satisfying.

How much fiber do you need?

The new recommendations from the Institute of Medicine state that women age 50 and younger eat at least 25 grams of total fiber per day, and men in the same age group at least 38 grams of total fiber per day. Women over age 50 should eat at least 21 grams per day, and men over 50 at least 30 grams per day.

Fabulous fiber sources

Of course, most Kashi products — especially those in our GOLEAN line (sorry, we couldn't resist mentioning them) — have plenty of fiber. But when it comes to fiber sources, plant foods really shine. Whole grains and beans are perhaps the most often overlooked terrific sources of fiber. Fruits and vegetables are also great choices when trying to increase your fiber fill. Keep in mind that animal foods, for the most part, are devoid of any fiber.