Fiber Fact Sheet

The potential health benefits of consuming adequate amounts of dietary fiber are diverse, just as the definitions of fiber and the foods that provide it are varied. A wealth of scientific evidence supports the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation to choose fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often. We have learned much about certain fibers, including wheat bran for promoting regularity as well as beta glucan from oats and barley and soluble fiber from psyllium for lowering cholesterol levels. Still, there remains more to be learned about other types of fiber and the amounts of these fibers required to produce the greatest health benefits not only for reducing heart disease but also for other potential health benefits including maintaining and improving digestive health, maintaining a healthy body weight, and reducing risk of diabetes and some types of cancer.

Fiber Fact Sheet (PDF)