Fibre: Your Secret Weapon for Weight Loss and Better Health
We’ve all heard about the importance of fibre to our health and digestion, but there are different kinds of fibre that play distinct roles and have varying effects on your health.
Fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate that offers many health benefits. Many of us fall short of the daily recommendations for fibre: In the UK we consume 15 grams/day on average, compared to the recommended 25 or 38 grams/day for women and men, respectively.
High-fibre diets can help protect against diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of cancer. Many of fibre’s health-promoting qualities likely have to do with the foods fibre is inherently found in. Foods with dietary fibre — like fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains — also contain other nutrients including vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that benefit our health.
SOLUBLE VS. INSOLUBLE FIBER
There are two main types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre attracts water and can dissolve in it. It forms a “jelly-like” substance in your small intestine, slowing digestion and helping to keep you full longer. Soluble fibre can also be great for helping to lower cholesterol, by increasing the rate of bile excretion, thereby preventing the recycling and reabsorption of cholesterol in the body. Soluble fibres include beta glucans (found in oats, barley and rye), pectins (found in fruit, veggies and beans), gums (seeds, seaweed) and inulin-containing foods (chicory, onion, processed foods).
In contrast to soluble fibre, insoluble fibre is better known for its effect on helping with bowel consistency. Insoluble fibres, like those found in wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains, contribute bulk to help foods pass more quickly through the digestive system.
We know that the natural soluble and insoluble fibre in foods is health promoting. Research shows that soluble fibre, like that found in oatmeal, legumes and certain fruits and vegetables, can lower total and LDL cholesterol while also reducing the risk of heart disease. The National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel recommends consuming 10–25 grams of soluble fibre per day to help lower blood cholesterol.
In case you're looking to boost both your soluble AND insoluble fibre intake (hopefully now you understand why you should) - the Oat Apple Fibre drink will be amazing for you.
With each serving, you get 5g of high-quality fibres into your body. As the Oat Apple Fibre is accompanied by plenty of water, this will prevent digestive discomfort. You can add it to your shake too!