Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that doesn’t get digested into sugar molecules for energy, like starches do; instead, fiber passes through the intestines undigested. Fiber comes from plant foods, like beans, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts (i.e., not just bran muffins).
Humans are blessed with not one but two types of fiber for health benefits: soluble and insoluble fiber. Learn more about the difference between these two types of fiber here.
References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2020). Fiber.
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Get to know carbs.
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. (2022). Fiber.
National Institutes of Health. (2010). Rough up your diet.
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Written by:
Lauren Smith, MALauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Reviewed by:
Sarah Gupta, MDSarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
