FIBRE - TO SUMMARISE!

• Aim to have a some fibre with every meal.
• Remember fibre soaks up water, this is how it is 'bulked' up in the colon / large bowel - triggering peristalis and enabling a smooth and comfortable elimination.
• So as you increase your fibre intake increase your water intake aswell.
• If your not used to eating a lot of fibre ie.vegetables and fruits, wholemeal produce, porridge oats, legumes etc, then increase fibre slowly - let your bowel muscle build up the strength gradually.
• A diet rich in fibre can prevent constipation, haemorrhoids, rectal prolapses, diverticular disease, and can help prevent certain cancers (mouth, stomach and bowel).
• A healthy high-fibre, low-fat diet reduces the likelihood of weight-gain and lessens the risk of developing many diseases associated with getting older.
• High fibre diets increase the number of vital 'friendly' bacteria that inhabit our bowel. (recent research is now highlighting the wonderful effects pro-biotics have on our systems as a whole - I will elaborate on this massive and exciting subject soon, but for now everybody should consider taking a pro-biotic supplement such as acidophillis.)