What is Fiber?

Answer:
Fiber is the substance that makes up the outer

layers of plants, and can only be found in plants. Fiber is an important type of carbohydrate in the diet because it is basically indigestible.

For this reason, fiber passes through the digestive system without being broken down into nutrients as other types of food are.

From the time it enters our mouths, fiber plays an important role in digestion. Because it is harder to chew, fiber slows down the eating process, making it harder to over indulge. Fiber also slows down the digestion process, thus keeping the blood sugar at a more even level. Because fiber is fermented in the colon by bacteria, it contributes to keeping this organ healthy.

A diet high in fiber has also been found to help lower blood cholesterol levels.