What specific function does insoluble fiber perform in the digestive tract?
Answer
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve and helps add bulk to stool, promoting regularity.
Dietary fiber exists in two forms, soluble and insoluble, each with distinct actions. Insoluble fiber is characterized by its inability to dissolve in water. Due to this property, it passes relatively intact through the digestive system, providing mechanical benefits. Its primary contribution is adding necessary bulk to the stool, which is crucial for maintaining regular bowel movements and actively helping to prevent constipation. Sources rich in this type, like whole grains and many vegetables, are important for digestive health, contrasting with soluble fiber which forms a gel to manage blood glucose and cholesterol.
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