Fibre

The Complex carbohydrate, which the body’s digestive enzymes cannot breakdown, is known as fibre. Also referred to as roughage, fibre is the indigestible part of plant food. Dairy products, fish or meat contain no fibre at all. It is a very significant element for general good health but is lacking in most adult dietary habits. Fibre plays an important role in the bowel function, by absorbing water as it passes through the large intestine it softens and expands the waste material to facilitate a smoother passage and ejection.

There are two types of fibre, soluble fibre that is found in fruits, vegetables, beans and oats, it is known for its cholesterol lowering properties as well as helping reduce the risk of heart disease. Insoluble fibre is found in wheat bran and acts as a type of bulking agent in the bowels as described before. To receive an adequate intake of both types, a variety of fibre intensive foods should be eaten. The correct amount of fibre in the diet can reduce the risk of potential bowel disorders such as haemorrhoids and constipation. Other foods rich in fibre include, rice, wholemeal bread, nuts, breakfast cereals, bran and pasta.