The body needs a combination of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to sustain its overall function, improve and support organs and systems, and prevent infections and diseases. Fiber is one of the most recommended nutrients, which is not at all surprising, since research has linked it with positive impacts towards different body parts, such as the gut, digestive system, brain and heart.

Unfortunately, many people around the world are consuming inadequate amounts of fiber, unaware of the potential health consequences if their body’s levels are too low.

What Is Fiber?

Dietary fiber is a plant-based nutrient that provides crucial health benefits. Sometimes called roughage or bulk, fiber is a carbohydrate that cannot be broken down into digestible sugar molecules. It usually passes through the body’s intestinal tract relatively intact, and can be categorized into:

Why a High-Fiber Diet Matters

Both soluble and insoluble fiber are linked to valuable health benefits:

A high-fiber diet can also play a role in:

A 2015 American Journal of Epidemiology study also revealed that a 10 percent reduced risk for all-cause mortality was recorded for every 10 grams of fiber you add to your overall fiber intake.

Some fiber-rich foods can further improve gut health by providing digestive-resistant starch. What makes this type of fiber special is its potential for fermentation in the large intestine. Resistant starches are able to feed healthy bacteria, act as prebiotics and bulk up bowel movements for easier elimination without making you feel bloated or gassy.

On the other hand, there are consequences linked to a low-fiber diet. Animal studies discovered that low-fiber diets trigger “waves of extinction” in the gut of mice, with the unhealthy gut potentially being passed on to the offspring. Each successive generation of offspring from the low-fiber group ended up with less bacterial diversity compared to their parents.

Plus, even after the mice were given high-fiber meals, the amount of good bacteria still remained low. This suggests a difficulty in repopulating certain good gut bacteria strains once they have been negatively impacted. Aside from depletion of healthy bacteria, consuming little to no fiber-rich foods can lead to:

How Many Grams of Fiber Should You Consume Per Day?

National fiber recommendations call for a daily fiber intake of 30 to 38 grams a day for men, 25 grams a day for women between 18 to 50 years old, and 21 grams a day for women 51 years old and above. However, my recommendation for an ideal fiber intake stands at 25 to 50 grams per 1,000 calories consumed, usually from fiber-rich foods. This amount may help boost your overall health and well-being.

Eat More of These High-Fiber Foods

To significantly raise your fiber intake, incorporate these high-fiber fruits and high-fiber vegetables into your meals. These can also double as high-fiber snacks you and your loved ones can munch on. Ten of the most notable fiber-rich foods to try include:

You can also count on these high-fiber fruits and vegetables to deliver some amounts of this nutrient:

High-Fiber Fruits

High-Fiber Vegetables

Other fiber-rich foods include burdock root, tempeh, seaweed, couscous, cinnamon, cloves, hemp and chia seeds, and nuts like almonds, pistachios and walnuts. When buying fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, pick those that are fresh, organically grown and GMO-free, so you may be able to reap other nutrients and benefits these foods have to offer and avoid side effects linked to substances like pesticides and herbicides sprayed on conventionally grown crops.

Organic whole psyllium husk is also a good fiber source. When it interacts with water in your body, it swells and develops into a gelatin-like mass that helps move waste throughout the intestinal tract.  However, since some psyllium crops are sprayed with the mentioned substances, it’s best to purchase this fiber source organic, so you can avoid health risks.

Lastly, when eating fiber-rich fruits, do so in moderation because these may contain a type of sugar called fructose, which can negatively impact your health when consumed in excess.

Take Note of These Low-Fiber Foods

Some foods have been promoted to be a notable fiber source, when in reality, they actually contain low amounts of this nutrient. As much as possible, limit or entirely avoid your consumption of these low-fiber foods:

Meanwhile, there are foods that are low in fiber, but provide other exceptional nutrients. These include grass fed meat, free range poultry, raw dairy, eggs and wild-caught seafood. Take note of these nutrient-rich but low-fiber fruits and vegetables too:

These low-fiber foods contain other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that your body may benefit from, so make sure to still add them to your meals. Eating various fruits and vegetables greatly helps with balancing the amount of various nutrients (fiber included) in the body.

The Drawbacks of Eating Too Much Fiber

Believe it or not, there may be negative impacts linked to consuming too much fiber. Some side effects can occur if you increase your fiber intake very quickly, namely:

If you or someone you know experiences nausea, vomiting, high-temperature fever or a complete inability to pass gas or stool after consuming fiber-rich foods or fiber supplements, contact a doctor immediately.

Are Fiber Supplements Worth It?

Fiber supplements may sometimes be recommended to help you add more fiber to your system. However, if you’re consuming a well-balanced, fiber-rich diet, then there may be little need for you to rely on these supplements. In fact, fiber supplements shouldn’t be considered alternatives to high-fiber foods.

Ideally, before taking fiber supplements, talk to your doctor first. If you have been given the go signal, drink at least 8 ounces of high-quality filtered water alongside the supplements. Generally, you can take these on a full or empty stomach. Don’t forget to drink more water during the day to prevent constipation, and avoid taking supplements before bedtime.

For people who were prescribed medicines because of certain conditions, it’s recommended that you take these at least an hour before taking fiber supplements, or between two to four hours after taking a fiber supplement. Fiber pills like psyllium husk supplements should be avoided altogether by people taking these medicines because of possible side effects:

For Optimal Health and Well-Being, Consume Fiber-Rich Foods Today

Unless you consume more fiber than what your body actually needs, a high-fiber diet can be a win-win situation because of its well-researched links towards health improvement and against certain diseases. Purchasing fruits and vegetables high in fiber is a simple but potent way to improve your health at a fraction of the cost, without burning a hole in your pocket. Take note of the strategies above and strive to meet your recommended daily intake of fiber.

This article is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective calcium,
magnesium and vitamin D based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.