Improve your fibre consumption

The recommended daily intake of fibre for women below 50 years of age is 25g per day (21g for women over 50) and 38g for men younger than 50 (30g for men older than 50). As a general guideline, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that a healthy diet includes at least 25g of dietary fibre every day.

Research has shown that most adults globally only average half this recommended daily fibre intake. Benefiber can boost your daily intake easily and naturally. Each serving of Benefiber (2 teaspoons) provides 3g of soluble fibre. The recommended daily dosage for adults is 2 teaspoons twice daily.

Few people understand the importance of dietary fibre:

· Because it demands that food be more thoroughly chewed, fibre slows down the eating process and helps contribute to a feeling of being full, which in turn can help prevent obesity caused by overeating.

· Fibre makes food more satisfying, probably because the contents of the stomach are bulkier and stay there longer.

· Fibre slows digestion and absorption so that glucose (sugar) in food enters the bloodstream more slowly, which keeps blood sugar on a more even level.

· Fibre is broken down in the colon (the main part of the large intestine) by bacteria (a process called fermentation), and the simple organic acids produced by this breakdown helps to nourish the lining of the colon.

· These acids also provide fuel for the rest of the body, especially the liver, and may have an important role to play in metabolism.

Additional sources of fibre can be obtained from all natural cereals, whole-grain breads, beans, fruits, vegetables and nuts. When increasing fibre, always remember to drink more water to keep the fibre moving through your digestive tract.

According to the South African Department of Health, five portions of fruit and vegetables (with skins where possible) and at least two portions of high fibre cereal and grain products should be consumed daily in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.

In today's busy lifestyle, where eating these recommended amounts might not be possible, Benefiber, which contains 100% wheat dextrin , taken as a daily supplement in conjunction with a balanced eating plan, can help ensure that you get the fibre you need each day.

Look for this new product in a pharmacy or supermarket near you.