Importance of Dietary Fiber

Mark Dreher, PhD, is president, chief science officer, and founder

of Nutrition Science Solutions, LLC, a clinical science consulting

firm. With over 20 years of experience in nutrition, Mark

Dreher, PhD, understands the importance of dietary fiber in the

diet.

Dietary fiber includes all parts of a plant that your body can't break

down and that aren’t digested, instead passing relatively intact

through your body. Dietary fiber is found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and has many health benefits. Below are a few of the health

benefits of dietary fiber:

1.) Normalizes bowel movements, reducing constipation and loose stools;

2.) Helps maintain bowel health, reducing hemorrhoids, diverticular

disease, and diseases of the colon; 3.) May help lower total cholesterol

levels;4.) Can slow the absorption of sugar

and improve blood sugar levels;5.) Helps aid in weight loss, as high-fiber foods require more chewing and

make you feel fuller longer.