I had a friend visiting the over the weekend and Sunday night I was taking a fiber powder. We got into a conversation about fiber and I explained to her that it’s one very important aspect of diet that many unfortunately look past. 

There are two types of fibers- soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers will dissolve or swell in water while an insoluble fiber will not. In the human body they both offer different benefits as they react in a different manner. 

Soluble fibers play a large role in protecting against diabetes by slowing absorption rates of carbohydrates which in turn allow blood glucose levels to stay more moderate. They are also thought to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood by inhibiting it’s production and removing it from the blood. 

Insoluble fibers hold water in the colon which in turn increases bulk and allows the muscle of the digestive tract to retain their tone and health. Maintaining the integrity of the digestive tract is thought to prevent many health problems. Insoluble fibers also speed the transit time at which food must pass through digestive tract which means the total time at which the body is exposed to potential toxins within food is shortened; this is one characteristic that is thought to cut down on possible cancers. 

These are a few of the major benefits fiber has to offer so make sure your diet has plenty of it or consider use of additional fiber in supplemental form.