Whole, plant foods aid the digestive system

Fiber is an essential nutrient that comes in two main forms, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber literally dissolves in water. Soluble fibers, such as guar and pectin, hold water and help to soften stools and also prevent sugar uptake from being too rapid. Insoluble fibers tend to be coarser than their soluble counterparts. Cellulose is an insoluble fiber, as is bran. The softer insoluble fibers, such as those found in fruit and tender vegetables, provide bulk that enables the peristaltic action of the intestines to move food through the digestive track at the appropriate speed. The tougher and sharper insoluble fibers found in cereals and whole grains irritate the delicate intestinal lining, speeding the passage of food through the length of the intestines, often to the degree that the uptake of nutrients is compromised. Whole foods provide our best source of fiber, and the healthiest fibers for us is that found in fresh fruits and tender vegetables.