...Nutrition Breakdown...
The Health Effects of Fiber
Fiber is a form of carbohydrates that is not digestible although is is an essential part of a healthy diet.
A mixture of several components: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, These substances make up the structural building materials in the plant cell wall. Other fiber components: pectin and gums, are involved with plant cell structure and metabolism.. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber, that which dissolves in water, include beans, fruits, vegetables, oats, and barley. This type of fiber plays a role in lowering high serum cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart attack by binding with cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestinal tract. When you eliminate the fiber, bile acids and cholesterol molecules go with it! Soluble fiber regulates the body's use of sugars, slowing their digestion and release into the bloodstream. In this manner you feel a sense of fullness longer.
Insoluble fibers do not dissolve in water. They absorb water and provide bulk in the diet, causing a sense of fullness and aid in removing bodily waste. Insoluble fiber helps in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and Type 2 diabetes. Sources of insoluble fiber include most fruits and vegetables, wheat bran, popcorn, nuts, and whole-grain flours and meals.