Why Eat Fibre?
Fibre is essential to maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
To maintain a healthy gut we need to eat a recommended 25-30g of fibre a day. In surveys of the UK the average intake is between 12g and 15g, with similar results for the US.
The health benefits of fibre are still being investigated, but so far having a good fibrous diet has been linked to lower incidence of colon cancer and diverticular disease; as well as lowering cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
For the athlete the health benefits long term are great, however, fibre has a more immediate benefit.
As mentioned before, fibre is essential for a healthy gastro-intestinal tract. If the gut does not work right then all the healthy eating in the world amounts to very little. A healthy gut maximises the absorption not only of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, but also the micronutrients (i.e. vitamins and minerals) that are essential to health.
Fibre also promotes the action of healthy bacteria as well as proper function. The benefit of this is that the body has a more active and effective immune system. With the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in many a hard training athlete, this is a welcome boost.
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