Consumption of food items high in fibre including fruits and vegetables will significantly lower cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Patients with heart disease and high cholesterol levels will benefit from these fibre food items.
Fibre is a:-
- type of carbohydrate called “Non-Starch Polysaccharides” (NSP)/ Complex Carbohydrates, essential to our body.
- bulk and coarse indigestible plant mattera nutrient present in bread, fruits, cereals, grains and vegetables.
- nutrient not present in animal products such as meat, fish, poultry,eggs and dairy products.
Fibre is of two types soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre is found in fruits and some vegetables. Insoluble fibre is found in some vegetables, whole grains and wheat bran. Insoluble fibre helps in preventing constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and decreases the risk of colon cancer.
Fibre diet prevents overeating, reduces cholesterol and controls blood sugar. However, intake of fibre in excess of the required quantity is not good for health.