The Benefits of Fibre
- Low fibre diet related conditions:
- Bad breath - the stomach is an area that can cause bad breath problems for many people. Poor digestion, constipation or bowel disorders may create gas which exits the mouth. One of the causes is lack of fibre leading to sluggish removal of waste and toxins from the stomach and bowel.
- Constipation - small, hard and dry faecal matter (medical term = 'stools'; more familiar name = 'poo') that is difficult to pass.
- Haemorrhoids - varicose veins of the anus. Painful and embarrassing. May require surgery.
- Diverticulitis - small hernias of the digestive tract caused by long term constipation.
- Irritable bowel syndrome - pain, flatulence and bloating of the abdomen.
- Overweight and obesity - carrying too much body fat. Eating more fibre rich foods will reduce the urge to eat and may help reduce your overall calorie intake (if you eat the right type of foods), in turn reducing your weight. Increased soluble fibre can help remove some fatty deposits from the arteries, helping you on the inside by reducing cholesterol.
- Coronary heart disease - a narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits forming on the walls of the arteries. It is associated with a diet low in soluble fibre, low in antioxidants that protect against free radicals and high in saturated (animal derived) fats. Soluble fibre can help reduce this, expecially if combined with exercise.
- Diabetes - a condition characterised by too much glucose in the blood. Replacing high calorie and refined foods with fibre rich, less processed foods, can help.
- Colon cancer - cancer of the large intestine. This is linked to eating a diet thats low in fibre and low in antioxidants, allowing toxins to build up in the system and attack the healthy cells.