What is fibre? Fibre is the part of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and legumes that we are unable to digest.
There are two kinds:
- Soluble
- Insoluble
Soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel, whereas insoluble fibre does not.
Two forms of soluble fibre are:
- Acacia fiber
- Psyllium fiber
The gel is responsible for:
- slowing digestion
- creating a feeling of fullness
- eating less, benefiting weight control
Acacia fibre is the gum extracted from different species of the acacia tree and is a good source of soluble fibre.
Acacia:
- acts as a prebiotic – increasing friendly bacteria in the gut
- protects against diarrhea, constipation, inflammation in the intestines and colon cancer
- has been used successfully to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- decreases gas and bloating
This fibre has been used medicinally over time to relieve symptoms of:
- coughs
- colds
- sore throats
It is also credited with lowering cholesterol. Acacia fibre comes in a tablet or a powder. Acacia can be mixed with water or added to food.
Avoid:
- when taking amoxicillin – body won’t absorb
- if you have a respiratory disorder