Diets Rich in Fiber

The American Heart Association suggests people eat a diet rich in fiber to help maintain a healthy body. Fiber not only helps keep the digestive system healthy, but it also aids in lowering cholesterol which helps battle heart disease.

Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole-grains, foods that are fortified, and beans.

Adults should be eating 15 grams of dietary fiber a day. Some experts and organizations recommend eating more, perhaps up to 20 grams of fiber a day.

Fiber is classified into soluble and insoluble categories. It is the soluble fiber that aids in lowering cholesterol. Soluble fiber can be found in foods such as: oat bran, oatmeal, beans, rice bran, barley, oranges or other citrus fruits, and strawberries. Lowering cholesterol can help fight heart disease.

Insoluble fiber doesn't aid in lowering cholesterol, but it is essential in keeping the body's digestive system healthy.

It is important to read food labels carefully. Many processed foods with bran often do not contain enough bran to aid in lowering cholesterol.