Fiber Supplementation for Bowel Health

Water-insoluble, non-fermentable fibers immediately increase the luminal size, which in turn results in shorter gut transit time, which promotes laxation. On the other hand, water-soluble fibers have a high water-holding capacity, which results in bulky, soft stools that are easier to pass (Slavin, 2013 (link)). Two different meta-analyses indicate that fiber supplementation significantly increases stool frequency compared to placebo (Yang et al., 2012 (link); Christodoulides et al., 2016 (link)). The risk of getting hemorrhoids may be reduced by taking a fiber supplement; if doing so reduces, the symptoms of constipation and the straining that accompany it.