Are you getting ENOUGH FIBRE?

Fibre isn’t just good for our bowels – it can improve our health in all sorts of ways. But many of us are missing out…

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We know roughage is good for us, but that doesn’t mean we are actually getting our daily quota. ‘Fibre is becoming more popular, as people have woken up to the fact that it’s a really important nutrient,’ says Rob Hobson, head of nutrition at Healthspan. But, unfortunately, we’re just not getting enough. The experts suggest we eat 30g of fibre daily, but on average, we only get around 17g* a day; and our bodies are suffering as a result.

What are the benefits?

Fibre keeps our digestive system healthy. It ensures the smooth transit of waste through the colon and prevents constipation and certain diseases. For example, scientists found that for every 10g a day increase in fibre, there was a 10% drop in the risk of bowel cancer**.

Fibre can also act as a pre- or probiotic. We know that beta-glucans – found in oats and barley – have prebiotic properties. ‘Indigestible varieties feed the bacteria in your gut,’ says Rob. ‘These prebiotics help promote a healthy microbiota [the bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in your body].’

There are additional positive effects. ‘Fibre helps to keep our heart healthy and reduces cholesterol,’ explains Rob. ‘It’s also key for keeping our weight on track and maintaining balanced blood sugar levels.’

So, that’s a lot of reasons to include more fibre in your diet!

What to aim for…

30g of fibre is the daily recommended amount. This looks like: