Diseases & Conditions
Fiber
Some foods contain fiber, which is a tough complex carbohydrate. Fiber may be partly soluble: It dissolves in water, and the body may be able to digest some of it. Or it may be insoluble: It does not dissolve in water, and the body cannot digest it. Eating too much insoluble fiber can interfere with absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Authorities generally recommend that about 30 grams of fiber be consumed daily. In the United States, the average amount of fiber consumed daily is about 12 grams because people tend to eat products made with highly refined wheat flour and do not eat many fruits and vegetables. An average serving of fruit, a vegetable, or cereal contains 2 to 4 grams of fiber. Meat and dairy foods do not contain fiber.
Did You Know...
Eating a lot of insoluble fiber (in such foods as brown rice, prunes, and many vegetables) can reduce the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
Comparing Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
Type of Fiber
Sources
Functions
Soluble
Apples
Barley
Beans
Citrus fruits
Lentils
Oat bran
Oatmeal
Pectin (from fruit)
Psyllium
Rice bran
Strawberries
Helps moderate the changes in blood sugar and insulin levels that occur after eating a meal
Helps reduce cholesterol levels
May reduce the risk of coronary artery disease
Insoluble
Apples
Brown rice
Pears
Prunes
Many vegetables, including cabbage, root vegetables, and zucchini
Whole grains and whole-grain breads and pastas
Provides bulk to feces and thus helps food move through the digestive tract, preventing constipation
Helps eliminate cancer-causing substances produced by the bacteria in the large intestine
Reduces pressure in the intestine, helping prevent diverticular disease
Is helpful in losing weight because the body processes it slowly
Last full review/revision July 2008 by Margaret-Mary G. Wilson, MD
Source: The Merck Manual Home Edition