Fiberis an important part of health. It is found in vegetables, fruits,and grains. Most people know that fiber is good and they should eatmore of it but they do not discern why it is vital. There are twotypes of fibers soluble and insoluble one. Food substance such asbeans, fruits, whole grains and vegetables have a mix of both fibers.However, foods like oats and barley have soluble fibers whereas mostgrains like wheat have insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber lowerscholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease while insoluble onedoes not. Research notes that insoluble fiber can protect the heartby reducing risks of blood clots and pressure (LifeExtension Daily News, 2016).It can also prevent a heart attack by reducing inflammation.
Theaverage amount of fiber that women under the age of fifty yearsshould take is 23 grams whereas men of the same age should take anaverage amount of 38 grams. Moreover, the average amount decreaseswith increase in age. Males over the age of 50 years should take anaverage amount of 30 grams while women of the same age should take anaverage amount of 21 grams. Most people in America consume half theamount they should use, and this is risky because under-utilizationof fiber can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Studiesshow that those people who consume a lot of fiber are at lower riskof cardiovascular illnesses. The fiber that protects the heart comesfrom foods like whole grains, bread, as well as cereals and not fromfruits and vegetables. According to Mason (National Academy ofScience), fiber also reduces the risk of diabetes (LifeExtension Daily News, 2016).This evident because fiber slows the absorption of the carbohydratesin foods, which leads to a less marked increase in blood sugar andless demand for insulin.
Mostcompanies add isolated fibers in foods that have always been known tobe free from the element, for example, yoghurts, juices and icecreams. The reason for the fiber is not known but I tend to think itis to attract more customers to consume their goods. Since manypeople know the importance of fiber, they will tend to buy the foodscontaining this substance. This is false advertising since the fiberin those foods may not have health benefits.
LifeExtension Daily News.(2016). LifeExtension.com.Retrieved 15 October 2016, fromhttp://www.lifeextension.com/news/lefdailynews?NewsID=7140&Section=NUTRITION