What Is Soluble And Insoluble Fibre?
Basically both are fibre and thus both are good for you. However, soluble fibre can help to lower cholestrol levels. Insoluble fibre is the type that helps the bowels move effectively. Soluble fibre tends to be found in oat bran, leafy vegetables and various fruits. Insoluble fibre is found in wholewheat and brown rices or pulses. Both soluble and insoluble fibre are not completely digested. Soluble fibre is ‘attacked’ by bacteria in the gut which then form by products which travel through to the bloodstream and lower cholesterol, through the fatty acids they contain. Insoluble fibre when it passes through the digestive tract absorbs up to 15 times its weight in water. This helps to expel the waste matter through the bowels. Care should be taken when eating a high fibre diet to ensure that there is sufficient water and liquid in the digestive system for the fibre to absorb. otherwise digestive problems may ensue.
