Benefits of dietary fibre in daily meal

Eat more fibre. You have probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health?

Normalises bowel movement: Dietary fibre increases the weight and size of your stool and softens it. A bulky stool is easier to pass, decreasing your chance of constipation. If you have loose, watery stools, fibre may help to solidify the stool because it absorbs water and adds bulk to stool.

Helps maintain bowel health: A high fibre diet may lower your risk of developing anal fissure, haemorrhoids and small pouches in your colon. A high fibre diet likely lowers the risk of colorectal cancer.

Lowers cholesterol levels: Soluble fibre found in beans, oats, flaxseed and oat bran may help lower total blood cholesterol levels by lowering low-density lipoprotein, or 'bad' cholesterol levels. Studies also have shown that high fibre foods may have other heart health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and inflammation.

Helps control blood sugar levels: In people with diabetes, fibre — particularly soluble fibre can slow the absorption of sugar and help improve blood sugar levels. A healthy diet that includes insoluble fibre may also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Aids in achieving healthy weight: High-fibre foods tend to be more filling than low-fibre foods, so you are likely to eat less and stay satisfied longer. High-fibre foods tend to take longer to eat and to be less 'energy dense', which means they have fewer calories for the same volume of food.

Helps you live longer: Studies suggest that increasing your dietary fibre intake — especially cereal fibre — is associated with a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and all cancers.

The writer is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Z H Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka.