Fiber

Fiber

Fiber
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 4 to 6
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.15

Vocabulary

challenging words:

cholesterol, constipation, digestion, grainy, lowers, peeling, radical, fiber, digestive, diabetes, therefore, gradual, response, image, dissolve, insulin

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Fiber
By Jennifer Kenny

¹     The word "fiber" doesn't necessarily bring an enjoyable image to mind, but maybe it should. Fiber is important to people of all ages from children to the very old. The image of grainy, hard cereal doesn't have to be the only representative, because lots of delicious foods contain fiber.

²     Fiber is a particular substance found in plants. It can't be digested. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Some nutritionists refer to two different kinds - soluble fiber, which dissolves partly in water and helps lower cholesterol, and insoluble fiber, which can't dissolve in water, but helps constipation. Both kinds are essential in a person's diet.

³     Foods that are high in fiber are filling, but the fiber doesn't add calories. Therefore, these foods help people not to overeat. That helps people control weight. Along with fluids, foods that are high in fiber help move items through the digestive system. Foods which are high in fiber protect against cancers of the gut. Foods that are high in fiber discourage constipation. They also lower the bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. They help prevent heart disease. They help prevent diabetes because they slow down sugar absorption and regulate insulin response. That certainly is quite beneficial.

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