Thursday, April 19, 2012

The skinny on fiber supplements

Following up on the post about inulin and added fibers...
Have all added fibers been found to lack scientific evidence suggesting health benefits?  Great question!

While inulin added to food products (commonly as chicory root extract) has shown no positive nor negative association to preventing chronic diseases, there is a single exception to this truth.  Most notably, benefits have been seen in supplements made from viscous fibers such as guar gum or psyllium.  These fibers may slightly lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and improve gastrointestinal function.  Who says awesome?  T.L.S, "Awesome!!"

Products & added fiber type:
Fiber Choice - inulin
Metamucil - psyllium
Fiber One products - inulin
Kashi - mostly "whole" fibers and brans (i.e. not "added fiber")

Which foods have natural fibers?  Added fibers?

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