Is a Fiber Supplement Just as Good as Fiber From Food? – The New York Times

Q: I take a daily fiber supplement, but Im confused about whether it offers the same health benefits as fiber-rich foods. Is getting fiber from a supplement just as good?

It depends on your definition of good, said Dr. Denise Millstine, an integrative medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic. If your goal is to improve your bowel movements or reduce some digestive symptoms (like constipation, diarrhea, bloating or cramping), she said, fiber supplements can often help.

But they wont offer the same vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds found in fiber-rich foods, she noted.

Fiber is a nutrient that our digestive systems cant break down. This slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, and helps to reduce blood sugar spikes and lower cholesterol. It also bulks up and softens our stool, which can decrease the risk of constipation.

When you take a fiber supplement, all you get is fiber on its own, Dr. Millstine said. But when you consume fiber from a meal, she added, youre also benefiting from other nutrients. One cup of blueberries, for instance, contains four grams of fiber along with B and C vitamins, potassium, magnesium and more.

These and other important nutrients in fiber-rich foods work together to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer, said Nicola McKeown, a nutrition research professor at Boston University. Fiber-rich foods also help maintain a healthy gut, she said.

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Originally posted here:

Is a Fiber Supplement Just as Good as Fiber From Food? - The New York Times