Dietary Fiber: High Fiber Diets

Are all types of fiber the same? Which foods have fiber and which ones don't? Are all types of fiber useful? Read more to find out!


The proven benefits of a diet high in dietary fiber include prevention and treatment of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. High fiber diets are also associated with lower incidence rates of colon cancer and liver cancer. In addition, certain types of fiber help decrease blood cholesterol levels.


Are there different types of fiber? 

Different types of plants have varying amounts and kinds of fiber, including pectin, gum, mucilage, cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin. Pectin and gum are water-soluble fibers found inside plant cells. They slow the passage of food through the intestines but do nothing to increase fecal bulk. Beans, oat bran, fruit and vegetables contain soluble fiber.

So where is the insoluble fiber found?

In contrast, fibers in cell walls are water-insoluble. These include cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Such fibers increase fecal bulk and speed up the passage of food through the digestive tract. Wheat bran and whole grains contain the most insoluble fiber, but vegetables and beans also are good sources.

Sometimes there is confusion as to the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber. Both are determined by laboratory analysis, but crude fiber is only one-seventh to one-half of total dietary fiber.

Do all types of fiber help with constipation? 

Insoluble fiber binds water, making stools softer and bulkier. Therefore, fiber, especially that found in whole grain products, is helpful in the treatment and prevention of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. Diverticula are pouches of the intestinal wall that can become inflamed and painful. It is now known that a high-fibre diet gives better results once the inflammation has subsided.

Do all types of fiber have therapeutic effects? 

Some types of fiber appear to have a greater effect than others. The fiber found in rolled oats is more effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels than the fiber found in wheat. Pectin has a similar effect in that it, too, can lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood. High-fiber diets may be useful for people who wish to lose weight. Fiber itself has no calories, yet provides a “full” feeling because of its water-absorbing ability.


Does meat contain dietary fiber? 


Does the form of food affect its fiber content? 

The form of food may or may not affect its fiber content. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables contain just as much fiber as raw ones. Other types of processing, though, may reduce fiber content. Drying and crushing, for example, destroy the water-holding qualities of fiber. The removal of seeds, peels or hulls also reduces fiber content. Whole tomatoes have more fiber than peeled tomatoes, which in turn have more fiber than tomato juice. Likewise, whole wheat bread contains more fiber than white bread.

Fiber supplements are sold in a variety of forms from bran tablets to purified cellulose. Many laxatives sold as stool softeners actually are fiber supplements. Fiber’s role in the diet is still being investigated; however, many research findings show that it can protect against many diseases including colon cancer and liver cancer. It appears that the various types of fiber have different roles in the body.

For these reasons, its better to avoid fiber supplements and instead, eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. This is the best way to receive the maximum benefits from each type of fiber present in foods and obtain the necessary nutrients.

Here are 16 foods that contain a substantial amount of fiber, to add to your diet:

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