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3 Types Of People Who Should Definitely Be Eating More Fiber

Author:

Morgan Chamberlain

April 21, 2023

Former mbg Supplement Editor

By Morgan Chamberlain

Former mbg Supplement Editor

Morgan Chamberlain is mindbodygreen's former supplement editor. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in magazine journalism and a minor in nutrition.

Image by Jayme Burrows / Stocksy

April 21, 2023

Women and men should be getting at least 25 grams and 38 grams of fiber per day, respectively. Unfortunately, most people aren't getting anywhere close to that amount.

In fact, according to a 2017 scientific review from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, the average American is getting a measly 16 grams per day 1 (yikes). And considering that dietary fiber is vital to optimizing gut health, bowel movements, cardiovascular function, immune strength, and mental well-being (just to name a few benefits), we'd all be smart to pack our plates with more fibrous plant foods.*

Here are three types of people who really need more fiber in their lives, stat!

Almost all Americans (yes, really)

Considering the standard American diet and its serious lack of high-fiber foods (e.g., fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds), it shouldn't come as a surprise that a whopping 95% of U.S. adults and children 2 are failing to meet their daily fiber needs.

Honestly, reaching your fiber goals can be a challenge! If you're struggling to get enough dietary fiber every day, you're far from alone (and thankfully, a fiber supplement can help you get there).

People with softer stool

Soluble fiber helps build the "bulk" of stool, while insoluble fiber helps support gut motility 3 (i.e., the movement of food through the digestive system and out of the body) and speed up transit time. Together, these two forms of dietary fiber can help promote healthy, solid poops (especially for folks who struggle with stool consistency).

People who struggle to "get things moving"

If you have the opposite problem (i.e., you have difficulty pooping as regularly as you'd like), then fiber can also help solve your bowel movement concerns. You see, fiber regulates intestinal microbiota 4, which helps promote healthy stool formation.

Two high-fiber foods are particularly good at bolstering healthy bowel movements:*

Guar bean was found to help reduce colonic transit time and increase both the quality and frequency of poops in a study published by the Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology.
Green kiwifruit was shown to significantly increase daily bowel movements 5 in a study published by Nutrition Research.

(Hint: mindbodygreen's organic fiber+ with prebiotic support features guar bean and green kiwifruit—as well as other gut-supporting ingredients—to help promote regularity.*

What to look for in a fiber supplement

Before you begin your hunt for a premium supplement, you should know that fiber supplements are not all created equal.

Here are a few key criteria you should look for:

A high-potency dose of at least 6 grams
Plant-based ingredients
A combination of insoluble and soluble fiber

With organic guar bean, green kiwifruit, a whole mushroom blend (reishi, maitake, oyster), and a targeted probiotic strain for added gut health support, mindbodygreen's organic fiber+ with prebiotic support delivers these top-notch features (and more).*

The takeaway

The majority of Americans (95%) aren't getting enough dietary fiber on a daily basis, despite its whole-body benefits and importance to overall well-being. If you're interested in finding a high-potency fiber supplement that fits your unique health needs, check out mindbodygreen's guide to choosing the best fiber supplement for you.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.