seaweed agar and carrageenan, inulin in onions, artichokes, and sunchokes) Particular foods offer particular kinds of fiber Wheat bran — the dry outer coat of the grain — is a rich source of insoluble cellulose, while oat bran is a rich source of soluble glucan (a carbohydrate), and juicy ripe fruits are a relatively dilute source of soluble pectins The different fiber components contribute to health in different ways Insoluble cellulose and lignin mainly provide bulk to the intestinal contents, and thus increase the rate and ease with which they pass through the large intestine It’s thought that rapid excretion may help minimize our exposure to DNA-damaging chemicals and other toxins in our foods, and the fiber materials may bind some of these toxins and prevent them from being absorbed by our cells Soluble fiber components make the intestinal contents thicker, so that there is slower mixing and movement of both nutrients and toxins They, too, probably bind certain chemicals and prevent their absorption Soluble fiber has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal Inulin in particular encourages the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, while reducing the numbers of potential troublemakers The details are complex, but overall it appears that soluble fiber helps protect against heart disease and diabetes In sum, the indigestible portion of fruits and vegetables does us good It’s a mistake to think that a juiced orange or carrot is as valuable as the whole fruit or vegetable Toxins in Some Fruits and Vegetables Many plants, perhaps all plants, contain chemicals meant to discourage animals from eating them The fruits and vegetables that we eat are no exception While domestication and ...too, probably bind certain chemicals and prevent their absorption Soluble fiber has been shown to lower blood cholesterol and slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal Inulin in particular encourages the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, while reducing... beneficial intestinal bacteria, while reducing the numbers of potential troublemakers The details are complex, but overall it appears that soluble fiber helps protect against heart disease and diabetes In sum, the indigestible portion of fruits... Many plants, perhaps all plants, contain chemicals meant to discourage animals from eating them The fruits and vegetables that we eat are no exception While domestication and