Fiber vegetables are vegetables high in fiber that are also a good source of antioxidants that are believed to improve heart health and reduce the risk of a number of chronic diseases. They have been found in numerous studies to provide protection against obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Benefits of Fiber vegetables
1. Fiber may also help prevent bowel and prostate cancer.
This is because the antioxidants in fiber, notably beta-carotene and lutein, are thought to help block harmful free radicals.
2. Fiber can also help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
Based on a number of studies it is thought that soluble fiber in particular helps slow down the absorption of sugar into the blood. Soluble fiber has also been shown to reduce insulin levels, which helps maintain natural blood sugar levels. Also insoluble fiber which is resistant to digestion acts as a “bulking agent” therefore reducing the amount of food eaten in a meal and thereby reducing the absorption of sugars into the blood stream.
3. The fiber in fruits and vegetables helps maintain a healthy digestive system.
Soluble fiber can help slow down the digestive process and insoluble fiber helps move waste through the intestines at a faster rate. This creates softer, bulkier stools which are easier to pass, reducing strain on the system. Eating plenty of fiber may also reduce the risk of conditions like diverticulitis, hemorrhoids or even constipation. Studies have also shown that both soluble and insoluble fiber can improve blood cholesterol levels and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
4. Fiber also helps maintain a healthy weight.
One study found that eating at least 25 grams of fiber per day was associated with minimizing weight gain and body fat in women. Fiber helps to fill you up so you feel full longer than with other types of food while keeping you feeling full, which reduces the desire to eat and keeps your intake of calories lower than with other types of food. Fiber also lowers cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation in the body.
