Just like fat and carbohydrates, your body needs a good amount of fiber for it to function properly. In fact, a diet that’s rich in fiber can do wonders for your overall health. Aside from helping your digestive system run smoothly, experts agree that it can also prevent abdominal fat as you age, relieve blood pressure, and even speed up your metabolism.
But what happens exactly if you do not have enough fiber intake? We asked Dr. Amy Lee, board certified doctor in internal medicine, medical nutrition, and obesity medicine and partner of Nucific, to find out. Keep reading as she explains the importance of fiber and its effect on the body.
What is fiber and why is it important in our diet?
According to Dr. Lee, "Fiber is a non-digestible carbohydrate that the body doesn’t readily absorb. It comes in two types: insoluble and soluble. Both are important for the human diet with various health benefits."
She explains, "Insoluble [fiber] are not easily dissolvable in water and adds bulk to stool which promotes movement and one's regularity. Oftentimes, one can eat [insoluble fiber] through unprocessed wheat bran, whole wheat, and vegetables."
Additionally, she says that "soluble fiber dissolves in water and are found on labels with names such as beta-glucan, guar gum, [and] pectin." This type of fiber can also be present in beans, fruits, and seeds."
"As long as you are eating a good variety of fruits and vegetables daily, you are likely eating forms of soluble and insoluble fiber," she tells us.
What happens when someone does not have enough fiber intake?
Dr. Lee warns, "When someone doesn’t eat enough fiber, the most common issues that can arise would be constipation or less frequency of bowel movement. Depending [on] what your normal frequency or baseline is, true constipation becomes an issue when you start feeling discomfort due to not going to the bathroom."
She adds, "This could be [experienced through] bloating and abdominal cramping." Inflammation is another concern, especially if the meals you've been consuming are packed with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colors from processed foods.
With that in mind, you definitely want to think twice and consider adding fiber-rich foods to your diet. As per Dr. Lee, some examples of these include fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, and nuts.
