Traditionally, fibre was considered to be an inert part of food, passing undigested from mouth to anus and expelled intact in the stool. This view has been revised and the term ‘fibre’ now encompasses complex carbohydrates and natural polymers such as cellulose and woody plant lignin, as well as pectin and various gums (guar, arabic, agar, carageen) and psyllium, and many others not yet identified. Far from being inert, different fibres exert different bodily effects. Fibre is often divided into two broad classes: insoluble and soluble forms. Wheat bran, for instance, is an insoluble form that is a good stool-softener but a poor absorber of cholesterol, a function that the soluble form, oat bran, does better.

Insoluble fibre makes stools heavier and speeds their passage through the gut. Like a sponge, it absorbs many times its weight in water, swelling up and helping to eliminate feces and relieve constipation. Wheat bran and whole grains, as well as the skins of many fruits and vegetables, and seeds, are rich sources of insoluble fibre. High-fibre diets have replaced bland, low-residue treatments for bowel problems such as diverticular disease.

Also note that as the outer fibre layer is often removed in food processing by milling, peeling, boiling or extracting, it’s wise to eat more unrefined foods to obtain insoluble fibre.

his type of food takes longer to chew in your mouth so you won’t eat as much, when fibre reaches your stomach it acts like a sponge soaking up water, also it takes longer to break down than most other foods, this will give you a feeling of satisfaction and fullness, for a longer period of time this will help conquer cravings. A lot of fibre contains very few calories.

What are the health benefits ?

Because of the very effective elimination characteristics of it, it can help prevent such diseases as bowel cancer, piles, stop constipation which quite a lot of people suffer with, improve overall digestion, in less civilised countries where their diets are high in fibre they tend to have less diseases than their western counterparts have.

Fibre tends to be very low in fat but can help prevent cardiovascular disease which is brought on by hardening of the arteries when fat consumption is high in your diet. Fibre tends to be a good source of vitamins and minerals which is essential for correct body functioning, and also helps prevent cravings.