Fiber is any edible food material that passes through the intestinal tract undigested. Before newer laboratory techniques that can detect various fibers, we only had crude fiber values for food. Basically scientists poured hydrochloric acid on a food and then a strong alkaline substance to simulate what happens to food in the gut. Whatever was left to the food sample was called crude fiber. Insoluble fiber is effective at increasing your feeling of fullness, stool size and bulk and helps reduce constipation and hemorrhoids.
Insoluble fiber includes wheat bran, whole cereal grains and vegetables.
Researchers have suggested that insoluble fibers may reduce colon cancer and diverticulosis. On the other hand, soluble fiber forms a gelatin-like substance in the intestines and increases the water content in stool. Researchers have suggested that soluble fiber decreases blood cholesterol and results in a lower blood sugar after meals for diabetics. Perhaps you have seen all the oat bran advertising in the media and your grocery store. The current recommendation is 1 gram of fiber per 100 calories.