Does fiber make you poop? All you need to know

When talking of constipation, fibers instantly cross our mind, but how does fiber make you poop?

Most likely, you're familiar with fiber and its benefits. In case you did not notice, fiber has several health benefits: it's low in calories and is generally available. It aids in weight loss, lowers cholesterol, improves digestive health, supports a healthy heart, balances blood sugar, increases immunity, and even lowers cancer risk.

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How does fiber make you poop?

Fiber-rich foods help in relieving constipation. (Image via Unsplash/Melissa Belanger)

If you're wondering does fiber make you poop, let's get that straight: Yes, it does. With extra fiber, it might even be the most satisfying poop you've ever had.

How does fiber make you poop compared o other food components? Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that's entirely composed of plant roughage and cannot be absorbed or digested by the human body.

That explains why fiber eases constipation. Instead of being digested and absorbed, the fiber goes through the digestive tract, tying up waste and fluids along the way so that the body can eliminate what should not be there.

When your faeces are stiff, dry, lumpy, and challenging to pass, that means you;re having constipation. If you have experienced pain, you know it. When you're constipated, you have fewer bowel movements each week or a lingering sensation that some faeces is left in your system.

Your stool will grow in size and soften as a result of fiber intake, allowing it to exit the body more easily. While fiber absorbs water and gives stool more weight, it also helps solidify loose and watery stools. The perfect faeces should be fully formed: a little soft and easy to pass.

In fact, fiber can be so beneficial that it's frequently suggested as a treatment for individuals who experience constipation. According to a study, consuming fiber significantly raised the frequency of stools in people who were constipated.

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High-fiber foods to help with constipation

Include fiber in your diet to relieve constipation symptoms. (Image via Unsplash/Carissa Gan)

Now that you have got the answer to “does fiber make you poop,” you will want to know which are the best foods to consume when you're constipated.

The benefits of fiber are crucial for both children and adults, so the whole family should consume a diet high in fiber. Include the following foods in your family's diet to increase fiber intake. To identify bread, cereals, and other foods high in fiber, check the food labels for grams of dietary fiber.

Check out this list of high-fiber foods to include in your diet:

• Fruits: Pears, apples, avocados, strawberries, blueberries
• Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes
• Legumes: Kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils
• Quinoa and oats

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How much fiber do you need?

The average adult needs 25-34 grams of fiber per day. Yet, the precise amount depends on your age and sexual orientation. It can be useful to keep track of your fiber consumption for a few days or even a week to establish a baseline and determine your typical daily fiber intake.

To prevent unpleasant side effects like gassiness and bloating, it's also crucial to bear in mind that if you're starting a low-fiber diet, you should gradually increase your fiber consumption rather than everything at once.

Now you know how does fiber make you poop; a high-fiber diet eliminates persistent constipation. However, people with slow digestion or problems with the pelvic floor might not benefit from consuming more dietary fiber.

See your doctor if your bowel motions become less frequent or if you experience severe constipation. That could be an underlying medical ailment causing constipation.