Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Jonathan Wolff discuss the importance of fiber in nutrition.
Fiber is a misunderstood nutrient, and most people in the US and UK do not consume enough of it.
There is solid research evidence supporting the reasons behind the lack of fiber consumption.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body simply isn't able to digest. It passes all the way through your body undigested.
Soluble fiber can lower glucose levels and cholesterol, and has other health benefits.
Fiber can be found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and even mushrooms.
Will Bulsiewicz emphasizes that dietary fiber has more benefits than just aiding bowel movements and that there is new science around fiber that makes it an exciting topic.
Will shares his favorite fiber study, which involved over 135 million person years of data, highlighting the significant scale and impact of the research.
Will Bulsiewicz emphasizes the importance of looking at the whole picture when it comes to dietary fiber, as it has been shown to reduce the likelihood of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes.
Fiber affects various aspects of the body, including metabolic health and the feeling of fullness after a meal. It also has positive effects on blood sugar control, blood lipids, and the immune system.
Dietary fiber has a powerful effect on gut microbes, as it is broken down by tens of thousands of enzymes in the large intestine, producing short chain fatty acids with numerous health benefits.
People with digestive issues may struggle to process fiber, but it's important to work through a process to overcome this, starting with a gradual increase in fiber intake.
Although fiber is generally beneficial, there is no one-size-fits-all approach due to the biochemical uniqueness of different types of fiber.
The low average fiber consumption in the UK and US is considered a public health problem, and increasing fiber intake can significantly improve health with a gradual approach.