10 Good Reasons why we need Fiber

A high- fiber reducing diet (which includes a wide variety of beans, nuts, vegetables, fruits and whole grain breads and cereals) can turn diet meals into pleasure. Here are 10 good reasons:

1. Fiber-rich foods tastes good! Whole grains (rice, wheat, corn, millet, barley, oats), fruits(a tremendous variety found here in Asia), vegetables (all kinds), and legumes (all beans and peas, which turns out to be the best sources of fiber) make up some of the tastiest food you can find.
2. You can eat a much larger volume of food because fiber adds bulk, but not calories.
3. Food rich in fiber is the best source of many other essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, so that additional supplements are unnecessary.
4. Fiber-rich foods make you chew more, and because they are in your mouth longer, they give greater satisfaction.
5. Fiber also aids in relieving other health problems such as constipation, hemorrhoids and gall bladder disease.
   
6. When the bran part of fiber reaches your stomach, it absorbs the saliva and digestive juices, adding bulk and making you feel fuller.
7. Fiber speeds the food on through your large intestine so that all the nutrients are not absorbed, especially nitrogen and fat. This results in more rapid weight loss. Bran from wheat, corn oats, and some vegetables and fruits act in this way.
8. Fiber-rich food takes loger to digest, therfore you stay satisfied longer.
9. Pectin and gum's also decrease fat absorption and lower blood cholesterol levels, and added bonus to people who want to control weight or prevent heart problems.
10. Fiber includes certain gum's and pectin which slow the absorption of glucose (sugar) in your small intestine, thus preventing rapid increases or drops in blood sugar levels. High-fiber foods is thus also good for diabetics as well as those with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).