Tuesday Tidbit: Fiber . . . not just for regularity anymore!
You keep hearing it – fiber’s good for you. Natural sources of dietary fiber can help your body in myriad ways, and now soluble fiber is being touted for its positive effects on the immune system. According to a recent study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, mice that ate a diet rich in soluble fiber for six weeks recovered from a bacterial infection in half the time it took mice who ate meals containing mixed fiber. Turns out, the soluble fiber found in citrus, apples, carrots, beans and oats helps fight inflammation. Insoluble fiber (in wheat, whole grains, nuts and leafy green veggies) doesn’t have the same impact.
What to do? Strive for 25-30 grams of total fiber daily, and pay attention to getting soluble fiber in particular.
© 2010, Sarah. All rights reserved.
