Fiber in digestive system

Fiber has important functions throughout the digestive tract:

High fiber foods usually require more chewing, which is good maintenance work for the teeth. Adequate chewing also increases the secretion of saliva, which provides additional protection for the teeth. It also helps the food's passage down through the system.

Fiber keeps you full and satisfied. After a meal satiety lasts for as long as the stomach feels full and the blood glucose levels remain normal. Fiber influences both of these factors. The gel formed by soluble fiber empties from the stomach at a slower rate and the stomach feels full longer. Insoluble fiber contributes by absorbing water and adding bulk to the food mass.

Fiber prevents rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. As food empties from the stomach into the small intestine at a slower rate, energy is absorbed over a longer period of time. As a result, blood sugar levels stay stable.

Dietary fiber has several positive effects on the intestinal microflora. The condition of the gastrointestinal tract is one of the things in the body we can really influence. The human digestive tract is highly adaptable. It reacts to changes in diet and lifestyle quickly - in both positive and negative directions. The beneficial bacterial population in the large intestine acts as a intermediary between food and the body. Therefore, the well-being of this bacteria is essential in terms of our overall health.

The digestive tract requires stimulation in order to function properly. The bulky dietary fiber triggers the intestinal muscles to contract and push the food mass through the system at a faster pace. Fiber also has a role in our waste management. On its way through the gut, fiber binds water and waste products, which are then excreted along with it.

Fiber also indirectly influences the condition of the cardiovascular system. It inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol, improves release of bile acids into the intestine, and has an effect on triglyceride levels and blood clotting properties. All this results in lower cholesterol levels, and decreases the risk for heart disease and gallstones.