Fibre

The term fibre describes a group of substances that are not broken by the digestives enzymes. It is a form of carbohydrate. It is essential for the efficient working of the digestive system, although it is not actually digested by the body.

They are chewy and you end up eating more slowly and less. It stimulates the saliva production as well which on a long run reduce the dental decay. When they get in the stomach, they swell and make you feel satisfied after you eat.

There are five types and they play different rolls in improving health and preventing diseases.

Pectin - found in the cell walls of fruits and in the soft tissues of unripe fruits. Prevent heart disease. Examples of sources from which pectin may be obtained are many kinds of fruits including stone fruits such as peaches, pome fruits such as apples, citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges and grapefruit, vegetables such as sugar beets, cucumbers and squash and nuts such as almonds and sunflower seeds.

Gums - They are sticky substance exuded by plants. They help with the absorption of sugar. Cellulose is the structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants Hemicelluloses A hemicellulose can be any of several heteropolymers (matrix polysaccharides) present in almost all plant cell walls along with cellulose.

Lignin or lignen is a complex chemical compound most commonly derived from wood and an integral part of the cell walls of plants.

Good sources: Beans, whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Best sources are bran, apricots, prunes and wholewheat bread.

The recommended daily intake for both men and women is 25-30 g(8/9-1 oz). More about the benefits of eating Fibre click here.