What are Dietary Fibres?
Fibres are mainly found in plant-based foods that are strictly resistant to being digested away. Fibre plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health and promoting general health wellness. Also known as roughage, dietary fibres stand as champion in promoting active gut motility and help the digestive tract absorb all the nutrients from the consumed food.
Broadly, there are two main types of dietary fibres:
- Soluble Fibres
- Insoluble Fibres
Soluble Fibres dissolves and mixes in the water to form a thick gel-like semi-solid substance in the digestive tract. It helps with delaying the progression of foods in the digestive tract and allow the tract to propel its contents smoothly. In the meantime, these soluble fibres promote active absorption of all the nutrients from the contents of the gut and slowly release them into the bloodstream. This particularly helps the individuals with diabetes mellitus by avoiding sudden spikes of sugar in the bloodstream. It also helps in reduced absorption of cholesterol from the consumed food that is recommended for patients with high blood cholesterol or cardiac health issues. Sources of soluble fibres include apples, oranges, oats, chia seeds and psyllium seeds.
Insoluble Fibres does not dissolve or mix in the water and do not form a gel-like mass in the gut. Rather, it adds bulk to the stool to promote regularity of the bowel movements and prevent constipation. Insoluble fibres also promotes the feeling of fullness which is a plus point for individuals seeking to lose their excess weight. Sources of insoluble fibres include brown rice, wheat, seeds, nuts, and celery.
Both soluble and insoluble fibres are essential for digestive health wellness. Healthcare professionals recommend to consume a mix of both the types of fibres to benefit from the whole spectrum of health benefits that it offers.
Recommended Daily Fibre Intake:
According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), adults are recommended to consume 30 grams of dietary fibres per day for digestive as well as general health benefits. However, the latest figures showed that the average fibre intake for adults in the UK was 18 grams which is only 60 percent of the recommended total.
The precise consumption of fibre intake depends on age and health of the individual. Below is a dietary fibre intake chart provided by the British Nutrition Foundation’s guidelines for different age groups based on a 2000-calorie diet:
Age (years) |
Recommended daily intake |
2-5 |
15g |
5-11 |
20g |
11-16 |
25g |
17 and above |
30g |
It is important to understand that sudden consumption of increased fibre diet results in abdominal discomfort, gas and cramps. It is thus recommended to gradually add fibres to the diet by eating 1-2 cups of mixed fresh fruits or a medium size bowl of mixed vegetables to gain the recommended number of fibres according to the chart above.
Absolute Best Fibre Supplements According to a Doctor
Fibre containing products available are not created equal. The market contains many options including powders, capsules, chewable tablets, and gummies. Healthcare professionals, particularly gastroenterologists, emphasizes the importance of choosing fibre supplements that align with health goals and needs. Doctors advise their patients to choose supplements that contain both soluble and insoluble fibres to benefit from a wide range of digestive health benefits.
-
Fybogel Mebeverine:
Fybogel Mebeverine is a combination medication used to treat the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It consists of two main components i.e., Ispaghula husk and Mebeverine Hydrocholoride.
Ispaghula husk is a soluble and natural fibre obtained from the seeds of Plantago ovata plant. Ispaghula husk is a bulk-forming laxative that softens the stools by absorbing water and relieve the abdominal cramps due to IBS. Additionally, it also has regulatory effect in digestive tract of individuals with alternative bouts of constipation and diarrhoea due to IBS.
Mebeverine hydrochloride acts as an antispasmodic agent that promotes the propelling forces in the gut. The addition of Mebeverine hydrochloride to the supplement formula helps with relieving the spasms of the intestine that often cause symptoms of abdominal cramps. It relaxes the muscles in the gastrointestinal muscular wall, decreases the hypermotility and eases the abdominal discomfort.
Welzo offers a variety of Fybogel products in affordable prices and product delivery at your doorstep. It is the best dietary fibre with 3.5g of Ispaghula husk and 135mg of Mebeverine hydrocholoride in each sachet. Instructions are simple: Mix one sachet in a 150ml glass of water or as per recommendations by the physician. With 5/5 stars review on Welzo, it stands customers favourite fibre supplement!
-
Ensure Plus Fibre:
Ensure Plus Fibre is a unique nutritional supplement that provides a balanced mix of both essential nutrients and fibres. It helps with provision of nourishment and fibres for better gut health in cases of gastrointestinal disorders. Healthcare professionals often recommend this fibre supplement to individuals with increased nutritional needs and inadequate gastrointestinal functions.
Ensure Plus Fibre is a combination of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), micronutrients (vitamins) and fibres for their excellent absorption and digestion. It contains a range of vitamins including vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B-complex vitamins. The fortification of the formula with dietary fibres plays an important role in regulating gut health of individuals with irregular bowel movements, gastrointestinal cancer, or malnutrition.
Ensure Plus Fibre is available in the form of a bottle containing Fructo-oligosaccharide, which is a soluble fibre. Serving size is 2.5 grams of fructo-oligosaccharide in 200ml bottle. It is convenient as a ready to drink formula after shaking its container. Welzo offers Ensure Plus Fibre in various flavours to cater the different taste preferences of their customers. The various flavours available include banana, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry with aim to make the fibre supplement palatable and enjoyable during the recommended duration of its consumption. With 4.5/5 stars review on Welzo, it becomes the next favourite fibre supplement!
-
HealthAid Psyllium Husk:
HealthAid Psyllium Husk is a natural fibre supplement that is derived from the Plantago ovata plant. Psyllium husk is known for its high fibre content and people have been benefiting from it since the many past centuries. HealthAid Psyllium Husk is a convenient and effective way to add such beneficial dietary fibre into the diet to support the gut health.
HealthAid Psyllium Husk is rich in soluble fibres that has the ability to retain water to form gel-like substance. The bulk-forming properties of this fibre supplement softens the stool and promote gut motility, thus preventing from constipation. The soluble fibre in the supplement also aids in reducing the low-density cholesterol (LDL) in the bloodstream by discarding the excess cholesterol in the digestive excreta. the fibre binds the cholesterol with bile salts to form bile acids that eventually pours into the gut and gets excreted from the body in faeces.
The high fibre content in HealthAid Psyllium Husk also promotes the feeling of fullness after its consumption. This property aids in appetite control and prevent overeating in obese individuals.
Welzo offers HealthAid Psyllium Husk fibre supplement capsules in affordable prices with delivery at your doorstep. Each capsule contains 750-800mg dietary fibre that must be taken with water 2-3 times a day. The benefit of these supplements lies in the divided doses as individuals consume around 2.5 grams of fibre but in three equal portions per day. With 5/5-star reviews on Welzo, this absolute best fibre supplement is another favourite of the UK population.
People Also Ask
Are there any side effects associated with taking fibre supplements?
Fibre supplements are safe for incorporation into the diet and its daily consumption. However, initially these supplements may cause symptoms of abdominal discomfort such as bloating and gassy abdomen. Moreover, excess consumption of fibre supplements also results in bloating, gas, and constipation along with intestinal blockage in rare circumstances.
Can fibre supplements help with weight loss?
Yes, fibre supplements can help with weight loss. It promotes early satiety and reduces the appetite until the next meal. The soluble fibre in fibre supplements also stabilizes the blood sugar by slowly releasing the sugar from gut contents into the bloodstream, avoiding sudden spikes in blood sugar thereby reducing risk of diabetes mellitus. The fibre supplements must be taken along with a balanced diet and exercise for effective and healthy weight loss.
Conclusion:
Dietary fibre are plant-based foods that helps in effective digestion and gut motility. Healthcare experts recommend the consumption of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibres to gain maximum health benefits. The absolute best fibres according to a doctor includes Fybogel, Ensure Plus Fibre and HealthAid Psyllium Husk that has high fibre content along with nutritious supplementation to gain both nutrition and its effective absorption into the bloodstream.
Related Articles
View All9 Best Korean Mineral Sunscreens of 2024
10 Best Dog Multivitamins for Your Furry Friend
20 Best Children's Sunscreens, Reviewed by Doctors
15 Best Women’s Hair Brushes to Tame Your Locks
13 Best Echinacea Supplements for Immune Support
10 Best Trace Minerals Supplements
10 Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements
7 Best Apigenin Supplements of 2024
10 Best Pre Workout for Women of 2024
10 Best Women’s Hair Straighteners of 2024
Check your health from home
-
Example product title
Vendor:Regular price £19.99Regular price Sale price £19.99 -
Example product title
Vendor:Regular price £19.99Regular price Sale price £19.99 -
Example product title
Vendor:Regular price £19.99Regular price Sale price £19.99 -
Example product title
Vendor:Regular price £19.99Regular price Sale price £19.99
Popular Collections
Plus get the inside scoop on our latest content and updates in our monthly newsletter.