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Fiber Basics

The two main types of fiber are soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water during digestion to create a gel-like substance. This slows down the digestive process and removes excess fluids from the colon, making soluble fiber a particularly good remedy for diarrhea. It also improves heart health by removing cholesterol particles from the digestive tract. People with diabetes (a condition where the body can’t properly use its main source of energy, a sugar called glucose) can benefit from soluble fiber, since it slows absorption of sugar and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Soluble fibers are sometimes classified by viscosity , meaning the thickness of the gel-like substance each fiber makes within the digestive tract. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, so it stays in the same form throughout digestion. It’s recommended for people suffering from constipation. This is because, by pulling water into the colon, it speeds up the digestive process and acts as a natural laxative. Also, by adding bulk to the diet, it helps the body make stools that are easier to pass. Other digestive issues, including hemorrhoids (swollen veins in the rectum that Apples are a source of both types of fiber; the inside of an apple contains soluble fiber, while the skin has insoluble fiber.

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