Dietary Fiber; Simplified

Hello everyone!
Here is a (very) quick explanation of dietary fiber.
The average American consumes about 14 grams of dietary fiber a day, far less than the recommended 20-35 grams.
Soluble fiber which dissolves in water, slows digestion and helps your body absorb vital nutrients from food. You should consume approximately 10 grams a day of soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber can not dissolve in water and possesses water-attracting properties that function to increase the bulk of stool, to soften stool and shorten transit time through the intestinal tract.
Good sources of soluble fiber are oat bran, apples, citrus, pears, peas, beans, legumes and psyllium (found in products like Metamucil, but is also available in health food stores.) Insoluble fiber sources include wheat bran, corn bran, nuts, cabbage and root vegetables.
Consuming adequate amounts of dietary fiber has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and therefore lowering the risk of heart disease as well as protecting us from colon cancer.
Slowly increase your fiber intake so as to avoid gas and bloating and be sure to drink 8 glasses of water a day.
Best of health!
Patty