You're listening to life kit from NPR.
Hey, everybody, it's Marielle.
When I say the word fiber, what do you think about maybe pooping?
You were probably taught that fiber keeps you regular, and it does do that, but also so much more.
NPR science correspondent Maria Godoy says fyber is kind of like the Peter Parker of food.
You think it's kind of this nerdy nutrient, but it's actually really secretly a dietary superhero.
Yeah, a superhero.
Cause this carbohydrate, which occurs naturally in plants, has a ton of health benefits.
It lowers cholesterol, it helps regulate blood sugar levels.
It keeps your hunger in check.
And it is the primary food source for the trillions of microbes that live in our guts.
And those microbes play really a critical role in so many aspects of good health.
The problem is we often don't get enough fiber in our diet.
That's true for an estimated 95% of Americans.
So let's change that.
On today's episode of Life Kit, Maria and I talk all Things Fiber, how it works in our bodies, the best ways to get it, whether you should take supplements, and how to avoid some of the uncomfortable side effects that can come with upping your fiber intake.
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