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 Your regular atta may now cost a wee bit more, because the company has decided to make it more wholesome by adding dietary fibre to it. This is not the feeling of food buffs alone. Everybody, from doctors to dieticians are talking about adding fibre to your diet.
Very simply put, the indigestible parts of fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses is known as dietary fibre, which is the cell wall of the plant.
It is made of a special type of carbohydrate, which remains unchanged after passing through the digestive system. Fibre breaks down only in the colon. This produces an acid, which nourishes the lining of the colon. Presence of fibre in food ensures that the food is chewed thoroughly .This facilitates digestion.
Fibre has the ability to retain water. This quality makes it an excellent laxative. Infact, adequate intake of fibre can relieve constipation within hours.
 Fibre rich diets are also a very effective way of weight management. Fibre produces a feeling of fullness of the stomach without adding on too many calories. This keeps a check on craving. Besides all this, it has been found that adequate consumption of dietary fibre reduces the risk of colon cancer, diabetes and coronary heart diseases. It also helps to lower blood cholesterol.
 Despite all these benefits, it is important to consider a word of caution. High fibre content in the diet may cause abdominal discomfort and flatulence in some people. Other than this fibre rich diets can reduce the absorption of zinc, which can lead to retarded sexual growth in children. Adults can suffer from anaemia and ostomalacia.
The best way to incorporate fibre in your diet is by substituting refined cereals by whole grain. Fresh fruit instead of juices and extracts and whole pulses instead of split ones. Try to consume fibre in its natural form. About 25-30 grams of fibre should be consumed everyday. Oats, rye, barley, carrots, bran and citrus fruits are excellent sources of
fibre.
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