Top 9 Health Benefits of Fiber

Posted by Dr. Della Parker     on December 2, 2016

Eating whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds is the best way to obtain the fiber your body needs to function properly. Most people are not eating enough of these foods to meet the body’s minimum requirements. Understanding the health benefits of consuming fiber rich food may help people prioritize eating fiber filled foods rather than the highly processed foods most of us have become accustomed to eating on a regular basis. Learn the top 9 health benefits of fiber below.

9 Health Benefits of Fiber

There’s no shortage of research showing how fiber may boost your health. Some of its top potential benefits include:

• Blood sugar control: Soluble fiber may help to slow your body’s breakdown of carbohydrates and the absorption of sugar, helping with blood sugar control.
• Heart health: An inverse association has been found between fiber intake and heart attack, and research shows that those eating a high-fiber diet have a 40 percent lower risk of heart disease.¹
• Stroke: Researchers have found that for every seven-grams more fiber you consume on a daily basis, your stroke risk is decreased by 7 percent.²
• Weight loss and management: Fiber supplements have been shown to enhance weight loss among obese people,³ likely because fiber increases feelings of fullness.
• Skin health: Fiber, particularly psyllium husk, may help move yeast and fungus out of your body, preventing them from being excreted through your skin where they could trigger acne or rashes.⁴
• Diverticulitis: Dietary fiber (especially insoluble) may reduce your risk of diverticulitis – an inflammation of polyps in your intestine – by 40 percent.⁵
• Hemorrhoids: A high-fiber diet may lower your risk of hemorrhoids.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Fiber may provide some relief from IBS.
• Gallstones and kidney stones: A high-fiber diet may reduce the risk of gallstones and kidney stones, likely because of its ability to help regulate blood sugar.

Dr. Della treats all types of conditions but has a special interest in digestive problems, chronic fatigue, and thyroid dysfunction. Contact Dr. Della Parker if you’re seeking a holistic approach to obtain optimal health.

SRC: Click to learn more about the Health Benefits of Fiber.