With the standard American diet consisting largely of processed foods, it’s no wonder that fiber is often overlooked. Many processed foods tend to be very low in fiber. And as a result, most Americans get less than half the suggested daily amount of fiber.
But getting too little fiber in your daily diet can contribute to gut health issues, weight gain, and more. If you want to feel healthier and more vibrant, it’s time to focus on your fiber intake. Here’s why.
5 Reasons you need more fiber
Helps With Weight Management
If you feel like you struggle with weight gain because you constantly feel hungry, you may want to increase your fiber. High-fiber foods stay in the stomach longer than low-fiber foods. That means you’re more likely to feel satiated longer and eat less food throughout the day. Plus, foods higher in fiber tend to have less calories than other foods with the same volume.
One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that getting more fiber each day naturally leads to weight loss. And it seems that even people who have difficulty sticking with complicated diets still manage to lose weight with fiber.
Helps Keep Blood Sugar Balanced
Each time you eat simple carbs, like those found in baked goods, packaged foods, and sugary treats, your body breaks them down into simple sugars. This causes blood sugar to spike. But fiber is digested much more slowly, resulting in a steadier increase in blood sugar that doesn’t result in a blood sugar crash.
Fiber is divided in two groups: soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps support digestion and healthy blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber is best known for helping to relieve constipation. According to the Mayo Clinic, soluble fiber is particularly important for those with diabetes. Some good sources of soluble fiber include: oatmeal, nuts, legumes, apples, citrus fruits, barley, and psyllium.
Supports Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is an important substance produced by your body. But high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can place your heart health at risk. Luckily, consuming 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber daily has been shown to decrease your LDL cholesterol.
Soluble fiber slows digestion by forming a gel-like substance in the intestines. This helps to trap cholesterol and prevent the body from reabsorbing it into the bloodstream. Research suggests that regularly including soluble fiber like flaxseed, beans, and oat bran in your diet can reduce your total cholesterol by 5 to 10 percent.
Benefits Your Heart
If your LDL cholesterol is too high, plaque can begin to form on the inner walls of your arteries. As too much plaque forms, your arteries begin to narrow, restricting blood flow. This can lead to blood clots, which raises your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Fiber plays an important role when it comes to heart health, with benefits including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. So keep your heart pumping strong by eating high-fiber foods such as fresh blackberries and raspberries, lentils, split peas, and barley.
Helps Keep You Regular
No one wants to talk about their bathroom habits. But constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint affecting about 4 million people. Constipation is defined as completing less than three bowel movements per week. However, stool elimination can vary between people. But if you believe you suffer from irregularity, fiber can help.
Fiber not only adds weight and bulk to your stool, but also softens it. When your stool is bulky, it’s easier to pass, preventing constipation. Then again, if you frequently pass loose stool, increasing your fiber intake can help with that too. Fiber firms stool by absorbing water and adding bulk.
Support Your Gut Health With Island Bliss
Fiber can go a long way to supporting your gut health. But if you want to give your gut a little extra love, Island Bliss is the perfect option.
This potent supergreens drink is loaded with organic fruits, veggies, superfoods, probiotics, and prebiotics! Island Bliss is a great way to get more antioxidants, minerals, and phytonutrients into your diet. And it has a taste you’ll actually enjoy! *
The problem with so many green drinks is they either taste grassy, chalky, and bitter or are loaded with sugar. But not Island Bliss. This tropical green drink tastes good mixed with plain water. Plus, one serving a day provides:
- Fibregum™, a remarkably gentle fiber that won’t cause gas and bloating. And due to its slow fermentation by the gut microbe, it has excellent digestive tolerance.*
- An organic green blend, which includes 12 superfoods and veggies. *
- Organic Vitaberry®, a blend containing high quality antioxidants, which promote healthy aging, cardiovascular health, and healthy carbohydrate metabolism. *
- Aquamin™, a multi-mineral complex that helps boost health and wellness. *
- LACTOSPORE®, a prebiotic/probiotic blend that contains up to 5 billion CFU of beneficial bacteria to help support optimal weight management. *
- Organic Spectra™, a powerful blend of 18 superfood ingredients that provides a natural source of energy. *
- Organic Turmeric, to help support an active lifestyle by promoting a natural inflammation response. *
With Island Bliss, it’s never been easier to support your gut health. This tasty superfood drink is a convenient way to get more organic fruits and vegetables, superfoods, minerals, and probiotics every day. Click the link below to get yours today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.