• High fiber diets have many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Many different types of dietary fiber can be eaten as part of a varied diet or as dietary supplements.
• Different fibers may have different effects on our gut microbiome.
• A new study suggests that using targeted dietary fibers may benefit health.

Fiber is an essential part of our diets. Otherwise known as roughage, it is the indigestible part of plant foods that helps reduce the risk of health conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

There are two types of fiber, both of which are non-starch polysaccharides that people cannot digest:

• Insoluble fiber provides bulk to the diet and moves waste through the body, keeping the gut healthy and helping prevent constipation.
• Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance that is broken down by gut bacteria. It can lower cholesterol levels and help regulate blood sugar levels.

But not all dietary fibers are equal. A new study published in Cell Host & MicrobeTrusted Source has found that health benefits vary between individuals and may depend on the type of fiber, the dose consumed, and the individual’s microbiome.