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Health & Nutrition: Human Nutrition

Why is fiber important? Where do you get it?

Fiber is only found in plant foods like whole grain breads and cereals, dry beans and peas, vegetables, and fruits. Because there are different types of fiber in foods, choose a variety of foods daily. Eating a variety of fiber containing plant foods is important for proper bowel function, can reduce symptoms of chronic constipation, diverticular disease, and hemorrhoids, and may lower the risk for heart disease and some cancers. Some of the health benefits associated with a high fiber diet may come from other components present in these foods, not just from fiber itself. For this reason, fiber is best obtained from foods rather than supplements.