Fiber is a crucial component in our daily nutrition. You hear about fiber frequently because of its numerous benefits. But if you ask the average person on the street exactly what fiber can do for them, they would probably not know how to answer. Like many things we see on television or read about online, fiber gets some serious publicity. And it deserves it all. Let’s take a real basic look at what one type of fiber supplement can offer you: Soluble Fiber Supplements.
What is soluble fiber?
The key to understanding the benefits of a soluble fiber supplement is knowing what soluble fiber is. There are two types of fiber—soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is different from insoluble as it forms a gel when mixed with water. Imagine this gel in your stomach and it is easy to see that soluble fiber is known to slow the amount of time the food spends in the stomach, releasing sugar more slowly and regulating digestive function. It has been shown to help maintain healthy blood sugar and reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
While a soluble fiber supplement is one way to get this necessary component in your diet, soluble fiber is already present in many foods that you eat including oats and oat bran, dried beans and peas, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. In soluble fiber supplements you often see ingredients like Flax Seed and Psyllium Husks as these are both good sources of the nutrient.
Most general fiber supplements contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. And most food sources that are a good source of one, are also a good source of the other. When looking for a soluble fiber supplement, don’t be too concerned if you don’t see the word “soluble” on the label. A high quality supplement will likely include Psylium Husks and that contains all the soluble fiber you need.
