Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that move food through the digestive system, absorbing water and making defecation easier. Dietary fiber consists of non-starch polysaccharides such as cellulose and many other plant components such as dextrins, inulin, lignin, waxes, chitins, pectins, beta-glucans and oligosaccharides.

While the current American diet averages only about 10 grams of dietary fiber per day, intakes of 25 to 40 grams of fiber per day are linked to a reduced risk of developing a host of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. High-fiber diets have also been suggested to protect against obesity.

There are other benefits to a high fiber and fruit and veggie diet too.

Recent findings on the health effects of fiber show it may play a role in certain cancers, diabetes, digestive disorders, and heart disease.