Food fibers are the part of plant foods that are not digested when eaten. Some types of fiber might have a cholesterol-lowering effect, which could lead to reduced risk of heart disease. Fiber might also help reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer, especially those associated with the digestive tract, and might be helpful in controlling diabetes. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble.

Insoluble fibers: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin - These types of fibers are often referred to as "roughage." Foods that contain insoluble fibers include whole grain products, and vegetables. Insoluble fibers help to promote regularity by keeping things moving through your digestive tract. Insoluble fiber is the coarse, chewy part of a plant that does not dissolve in water. It forms a plant's structure and can be found in the outside tissues like fruit skins, stringy vegetables and crunchy whole grains. Insoluble fiber passes through the body largely intact, soaking up water like a sponge and adding bulk and softness to the stool. This not only prevents constipation but also speeds the rate at which food goes through your system. Whole-wheat breads, wheat bran, rye, most other whole grains, cabbage, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower and apple skin are all loaded with insoluble fiber.

Soluble fibers - These fibers form gels in water, helping promote a softer stool. There are three types of soluble fibers: gums, pectins, and mucilages. humans can't digest.Soluble fiber, on the other hand, is found inside plant cell walls and dissolves and thickens in water to form a sticky, gel-like substance. It gives oatmeal its gummy texture and cooked beans their mushy centers. As it passes through the digestive system, soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping the body to eliminate it. Oats (which have the highest proportion of soluble fiber of any grain), oat bran, beans, peas, rice bran, citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp are full of soluble fib

When eaten, soluble fiber sources slow the passage of food through the digestive system. Some researchers believe this action helps to regulate cholesterol and glucose (sugar) levels in the blood by affecting absorption rates. Food sources of soluble fibers are dried beans, oats, barley, and some fruits and vegetables.

The high-fiber content of the food makes it a low GI or glycemic index food, and a food suited to people who eat a balanced diet to control their glucose levels. This grain makes for a healthy, high energy breakfast for diabetics.

In fact, more and more research is showing that a high-fiber diet may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer and weight gain. According to new research from the University of Texas in Austin, women who maintain a healthy weight fill up (without filling out) on fiber. If the idea of eating bowl after bowl of bran makes you groan, take heart. Filling up on fiber to maintain a healthy weight is easier than you think.

In the colon, amaranth acted like cellulose (a poorly fermented fiber) by neither decreasing pH nor increasing cecal surface area. This study suggests that amaranth behaves like soluble fibers in lowering serum cholesterol but like insoluble fibers in terms of its action in the colon.

Fiber deserves its solid reputation for its regulating abilities, but keeping things going is not fiber's only claim to fame. In fact, more and more research is showing that a high-fiber diet may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer and weight gain. According to new research from the University of Texas in Austin, women who maintain a healthy weight fill up (without filling out) on fiber. If the idea of eating bowl after bowl of bran makes you groan, take heart. Filling up on fiber to maintain a healthy weight is easier than you think.

DECRIPTION: Dietary fiber from AMARANTH GRAIN, coarse light brown colored powder

INGREDIENTS: 100% Cellwall material from citrous amaranth grain with major portion of insoluble fibers