Why is fibre so important?

Fibre might not be the sexiest word in the language of food – but it’s one of the most crucial.

After decades of focusing on low fat, low carb diets, fibre is getting the spotlight from scientists eager to share their discoveries on just how important it is for our health.

What is fibre?

Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t break down. When we eat fibre, it travels through our gut and into the large intestine, where it’s broken down by bacteria.

Where does fibre come from?

Most of the fibre we consume comes from fruit and vegetables. But the modern day western diet, which relies heavily on processed and fast food is severely lacking in fibre. 

We eat far, far less fibre now than we did in our hunter-gatherer days. The average Brit, for example, eats less than two thirds of their recommended daily intake.

The power of fibre

Fibre doesn’t just keep us regular – it does much, much more. A diet high in fibre has been linked to lower risk of type two diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. It even has benefits for our skin and metabolism – and could help keep our mental health in good shape, too.

It’s a gut feeling

A lot of our health comes down to having good gut bacteria. And good gut health starts with the foods we eat, writes Will Bulsieqicz in his book Fibre Fuelled, since the gut is inextricably linked to our immune system, and its ability to fight off disease.

The super nutrient 

Fibre keeps us full for longer, and keeps our guts healthy; and a healthy gut  can even improve our mood. 

Also, a diet high in fibre is, by extension, a diet also packed with other good stuff, such as vitamins and probiotics. That’s why, at TYME, we make fibre a priority.