What is the point of having fiber in one's diet?

Answer 1

Fiber is the bulky part of fruits, vegetables, and grains. While fiber doesn't really have many nutrients, think of it as little bottle brushes, helping to clean out all the gunk from your intestines.

Small bits of foods like meat, french fries, pizza, and other heavy foods can get caught in the crevices and folds of the digestive system. And without fiber in the diet that stuff stays in there and starts to rot, causing all kinds of health problems - digestive problems, diarrhea, constipation, heart problems, liver problems, acne, bad hair and nails, and all kinds of other conditions.

Like your kitchen sink, too much gunk in the pipes and it backs up. We aren't much different - too much gunk in our pipes and all kinds of things back up.

Answer 2

A good high fiber diet is excellent for the health and function of most normal digestive tracts.

Answer 3

As my bio teacher says, the cellulose in vegetables is what we call "fiber." Because our bodies cannot digest cellulose, the fiber travels down to our large intestines and cleans your bowels out in the most literal sense.

So, eat your fruits and vegetables, or your poop will be irregular.

Answer 4

Your body doesn't digest fiber, so it helps you function normally, in the rear end department.

Answer 5

It helps you digest your food and pass it out of your body, without fiber you will have digest problems and become constipated.

Answer 6

Fiber, which is found in all plant-based foods, is composed of a group of compounds that makes up the framework of plants. Although fiber cannot be digested, it is an essential nutrient for good health. The health benefits of a diet rich in fiber include lower cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Also referred to as roughage, fiber is made up of many compounds, mostly carbohydrates. It can be found in a variety of foods, including wheat, potatoes, and certain fruits and vegetables. Although the recommended amount of fiber is 20 to 35 grams a day, the average American consumes only 12 to 15 grams on a daily basis. Asians, on average, consume three times as much fiber as Americans do.

Complex carbohydrates, which are a major source of energy for the body, are comprised of two main classes: starch, which is digestible, and fiber, which is generally not digestible. There are also two kinds of fiber: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber, found in wheat bran and some fruits and vegetables, cannot be dissolved in water. This type of fiber is made up of cellulose and hemicellulose, substances that offer rigidity to plant material (e.g., the peels and skins of fruits and vegetables, wood, stems, and the outer coverings of nuts, seeds, and grains). Insoluble fiber acts as a natural laxative, giving stool the bulk necessary to move quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to preventing constipation and hemorrhoids, insoluble fiber may also reduce the risk of colon cancer by speeding the passage of food through the digestive tract.

Soluble fiber, found in beans, oats, and some fruits and vegetables, is fiber that can be dissolved in water. This type of fiber is made up of pectins, gums, and mucilages. Marie Boyle notes that, because it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood, soluble fiber can reduce the risks of heart and artery disease and atherosclerosis. When consumed in large amounts, soluble fiber also slows glucose absorption from the small intestine, which can be helpful in treating diabetes. Finally, a diet high in fiber may also promote weight control and reduce the risk of developing obesity.
According to the American Dietetic Association, the daily goal for fiber intake is between 20 and 35 grams. However, the average intake in the United States is only 12 to 15 grams. In contrast, people in China consume as much as 77 grams of fiber per day. Children also need fiber, although in different
amounts than adults. For children up to age 18, the recommended daily dose (in grams) is determined by adding five to a child's age. For example, a seven-year-old child would need 12 grams of fiber a day.

The recommended daily amount of fiber can be consumed by eating a diet high in fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. There are several ways to ensure one consumes enough fiber. First, it is important to read food labels. Although they do not distinguish between the two types of fiber, the labels of almost all foods will provide the amount of dietary fiber in each serving. Raw or slightly cooked vegetables will also provide an excellent source of fiber. However, overcooking vegetables may reduce the fiber content. Whole-grain cereals, whole-wheat bread, fresh or dried fruit, beans, rice, and salad are all good sources of fiber.

Answer 7

It helps to keep one's digestive system 'regular'. It aids in digestion.
http://www.dmc.org/health_info/topics/nutr4824.html

Answer 8

something about going to the bathroom regularly

Answer 9

so that your bowel moves faster, if it doesnt move fast enough you will get bowel cancer.

Answer 10

so you can go boo-boo