The numbers are unambiguous: Americans are not getting enough fiber. Despite decades of advice, most people fall well short of recommended intake, and the shortfall has real consequences for digestive health, blood sugar control, cholesterol and even the risk of certain cancers. Yet fiber has also become something of a diet fad, appearing in supplements and fortified products that promise all the benefits with none of the effort.
Here is the complication. There is no single, universal way to increase fiber intake, because different people tolerate and benefit from different sources. Some fibers ferment readily in the gut, feeding beneficial bacteria; others pass through largely intact, adding bulk and aiding regularity. A sudden increase can cause discomfort for one person while posing no problem for another. The best approach, researchers suggest, is gradual, varied and tailored to the individual, drawing on whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains rather than relying on any single supplement. Fiber is both trend and fixture, but the practical truth is that a personalized approach, not a miracle product, is what actually works.
