Fiber is an essential dietary element in maintaining proper digestion and lowering cholesterol. Foods high in fiber contain nutrients that your body needs for strength and good health. If fiber rich foods are healthily prepared, they are low in trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, and can aid in weight loss and reduce the risk of heart failure, diabetes and certain types of cancer. You can also prevent signs of aging by eating high-fiber foods. Fiber supplements are not a good substitute.

Weight Loss.

A diet high in fiber is effective for people who want to lose weight. Fiber itself has no calories and it helps you stay full longer because of its water-absorbing quality. It quickly satisfies the appetite, so you feel full sooner and are less likely overeat. Foods high in fiber require more chewing time, resulting in an increase of salivary and gastric juices. These juices play a big part in fighting plaque and tooth decay. You can start off the day with the recommended amount of fiber by eating a fiber-rich cereal with fruit.

Anti-Aging.

Foods rich in dietary fiber contain many potent anti-aging and disease preventing vitamins, nutrients, cofactors and antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent age-related diseases including macular degeneration, cataracts and skin photo aging.

Reduce Risk of Heart Attack.

Fiber reduces the risk of heart attack. Some believe that a high-fiber diet is as important, or more important, for prevention of heart disease than a low-fat diet. The FDA ruled that companies can advertise how high fiber foods including cereals, breads and other products containing whole or milled barley grain can reduce the risk of heart disease.

Reduce Risk of Diabetes.

Fiber, particularly soluble fiber, lowers blood cholesterol levels and slows absorption of sugar, thus improving the blood sugar level of people suffering from diabetes. Also, a high-fiber diet can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Reduce Risk of Cancer.

Dietary fiber may help decrease the risk of some cancers, especially colon cancer. This idea is based on the fact that insoluble fiber increases the rate at which wastes are removed from your body. Consequently, your body may have less exposure to toxic substances from digestion. In females, fiber is believed to protect against breast cancer by decreasing levels of estrogen, a hormone that promotes the growth of breast tumors.

Fiber Supplements Are Not A Good Substitute. Eating a variety of high fiber foods provides several types of fiber. Taking fiber supplements usually only provides a single type of fiber, most commonly methylcellulose or psyllium.