Benefits of high fiber foods

Fiber can absorb large amounts of water in the bowels, and this makes stools softer and easier to pass. Anyone starting a higher-fibre diet will notice the difference in stool bulk. In almost all cases, increasing fiber in the diet will relieve constipation within hours or days.

Because stools are easier to pass, less straining is necessary, and this can help relieve haemorrhoids.

Foods containing plenty of fibre have more bulk than low-fibre foods. If taken in the right form at the right time and at sufficient quantities, fibre can sometimes slow the onset of hunger.

Evidence is now growing to support the notion that foods containing soluble fibre (such as oats, rye barley, and beans) can have a positive influence on cholesterol, triglycerides, and other particles in the blood that affect the development of heart disease.

Adding fibre to the diet helps regulate blood sugar levels, which is important in avoiding diabetes.