Date: 15/02/2010
What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre? Which is more important in losing weight?
Soluble and insoluble fibre are found in many of the same foods, and both types are helpful for weight loss. The main difference is that soluble fibres dissolve in water and insoluble do not. So this means that soluble fibre forms a gel when mixed with the liquids you consume and takes longer than insoluble fibre to empty from the gastrointestinal tract.
Soluble fibre lowers cholesterol levels, thereby reducing heart disease risk; insoluble fibre helps keep you regular.
Rather than dissolving in water, insoluble fibre holds onto water, helping move waste through the body. When you eat fibre-rich foods, which tend to be low in calories, your brain has time to register fullness before you’ve overeaten. That is why an apple with 3grams of fibre leaves you feeling more satisfied than 200ml apple juice which has no fibre.
Studies show that people who are provided with high fibre meals are allowed to eat to their hearts content and consume about 10% fewer calories than people served foods lower in fibre.
So start paying attention to your food labels and eat foods rich in Fibre.