What Are the Functions and Benefits of Fibers in the Human Body?
The primary function of fibers in our diet, as just indicated, is to provide bulk to food so that its passage down the digestive tract will be easier. Fibers also help tone the muscles of the GI tract so that peristalsis can continue easily and naturally. Since they retain water, fibers help the stool to stay moist and semisolid. Fibers have many other benefits to the human body. The water-soluble fibers, tend to delay stomach emptying and the rate of food absorption into the body. Because these fibers have a capacity to entrap and absorb sugars and lipids, they may help stabilize blood sugar level and reduce the amount of fat absorbed and deposited in the body. The soluble fibers also may help with the health of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, in a rat study it was shown that a 5 percent inclusion of soluble fibers (pectin, oat bran and guar gum) enhanced the cell renewal of the intestinal tract of the rats.9 This is important because for the food to be absorbed efficiently,
