Fiber Supplement Benefits: Why You Need It In Your Diet

I’ll get straight to the point. Getting enough fiber in your diet can help you with weight loss and the reduction of belly fat, reduce your risk of cancer, and help you live a longer, healthier life. First, I’ll review the different types of fiber. Then I’ll show you how fiber supplements benefit your overall health and wellness.

Dietary Fiber vs Soluble Fiber

So where can you find fiber? You can find dietary fiber in fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Unlike macronutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and fats, you can not easily digest dietary fiber. Because it passes through your system, it can help to relieve and/or prevent constipation. Dietary fiber also helps lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and many other types of cancer, while ensuring your body stays healthy by fighting inflammation.

Soluble fiber, on the other hand, slows down how quickly your stomach releases digested food into your digestive tract. It’s been shown to help you lose belly fat and keep it from coming back by feeding the good gut bacteria that lives in your intestines. The process of breaking down this type of fiber is known as fermentation. This creates the byproduct of short-chain fatty acids. In addition, many studies show that these fatty acids reduce belly fat.

Keep in mind, you may experience side-effects when you supplement or increase your fiber intake. This is often short-term, while your body adjusts to the proper amount of fiber. (Most of us don’t get enough. You need to increase your fiber intake slowly, or else you might run into some stomach cramping, gassiness, or bloating.

What is the Best Fiber Supplement?

My personal favorite fiber supplements are Metamucil. Not only does it taste good (I prefer the orange flavor with my breakfast), but each tablespoon also gives you 3 grams of dietary fiber, which is a solid amount for a tiny tablespoon. To put this into perspective, the average American only consumes around 15g per day—when we should be taking in about 30 grams. So adding 6-9g of fiber in the morning is extremely helpful in hitting that 30g goal.

All in all, fiber is often missed or not really taken seriously, because its benefits are either misunderstood or not widely known. But adding a fiber supplement to your diet can help you lose belly fat, and help your body stay efficient and healthy for the rest of your life.