Why is roughage an important part of our diet
Answers
Roughage, or fiber, refers to the carbs in plants that your body cannot digest. This article uses the terms roughage and fiber interchangeably.
Once roughage reaches your large intestine, it’s either broken down by your gut bacteria or exits your body in your stools .
There are two main types of fiber — soluble and insoluble. Most foods high in roughage contain a combination of these but are usually richer in one type
In the gut, soluble fiber absorbs water to become gel-like. This allows your gut bacteria to break it down easily.
In contrast, insoluble fiber has a more rigid microscopic structure and does not absorb water. Instead, it adds bulk to stools. Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of insoluble fiber
You should try to eat 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume per day. That’s about 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. Unfortunately, only about 5% of people reach this recommendation
Not eating enough fiber can negatively affect your health. For example, eating a diet low in fiber has been linked to digestive issues like constipation and dysbiosis, which is the abnormal growth of harmful bacteria in the gut
SUMMARY
Roughage, also known as fiber, refers to carbs that your body cannot digest. Most people don’t eat enough fiber. Recommendations suggest that women consume about 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should consume 38 grams.