Eating green. The beneficial properties of fibres

Fibres are the portion of plant foods which are neither digested nor absorbed by the human body.

A fibre-rich diet is good for health and also helps combat even serious diseases. Fibres rich in chlorophyll in fact perform a beneficial protective, anti-acid, prebiotic action, promoting normal bowel activity.

They consist mainly of polysaccharides. A lack of dietary fibres causes slowed bowel activity, the reduced elimination of waste, and increased absorption of nutritional substances with a tendency for obesity. One of the main activities of fibres is therefore to stimulate bowel movements. The anti-cholesterol action of fibres derives from a lower absorption of fats and cholesterol itself in the intestine, and the intensified elimination of cholesterol in the bile. The most interesting aspect of the protective role played by a fibre-rich diet is its lower impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. Fibre-rich foods in fact have a low glycemic index.

The consumption of fruit and vegetables is extremely important insofar as rich in vitamins, protein, micronutrients, but above all fibre.

Many soluble fibres such as inulin, lactoferrin, fructo-oligosaccharides, have a prebiotic action. Prebiotics are the non-digestible parts of foods that work to support and stimulate the growth and activity of intestinal bacteria, considered useful and beneficial for the human body.

The Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) prebiotics are fermented mainly by certain types of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Their assimilation considerably increases the presence of short chain fatty acids. It contributes to maintaining a healthy microbial environment. These fatty acids supply up to 70% of the energy used by the epithelial cells of the colon, improving the integrity and continuous regeneration of the intestinal mucosa. The foods most rich in FOS include chicory, Jerusalem artichokes, artichokes, legumes, whole wheat flour, bananas. As a supplement, FOSs are used mainly to normalise bowel activity in case of constipation.