Fiber is a carbohydrate that is incompletely absorbed and can be divided into soluble and insoluble types. The average person gets only about half of the fiber that he needs. A few people have digestive disorders and need to cut fiber, especially insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel that soothes the intestines. It may benefit some people with digestive disorders and relieve diarrhea by slowing the movement of food through the intestines. By contrast, insoluble fiber does not dissolve water and is more difficult for the body to digest. It has a rough texture (which occasionally may be bad for digestive disorders) and helps prevent constipation by moving food through the intestines. Both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber promote regularity by providing bulk to the stool. Fiber may reduce the risk of colon cancer and diabetes by slowing the rise in blood sugar after eating food.
