Good nutrition is one of the top priorities that you must focus on as you age. It is vital to include essential nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and fiber in your everyday diet. These can spell the difference for your life, helping you become more graceful when you are older while keeping you in tiptop shape at all times. On this page, in particular, we encourage you to consume enough fiber for the following reasons.
# 1 – It Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels
The digestive system slows down as one ages, and choosing the proper food to eat will help your body’s digestive process. Fiber-rich foods are proven helpful to those who are aging and are already suffering from digestive system decline. This is rich in plant-based nutrients, which are crucial in maintaining one’s health, while also regulating cholesterol levels, and controlling blood sugar.
# 2 – Soluble Fiber Improves Digestion
Soluble fiber is among the types of fiber that you must focus on taking as you age. This one dissolves in water, and from there becomes a gelatinous substance. The substance sticks to debris, bile, and toxins that can then be dragged through the digestive system. The ability of soluble fiber to bulk up stool allows the system to easily pass it, thus improving your digestion. You can find this type of fiber in flaxseed, oats, and beans.
# 3 – Insoluble Fiber Softens the Stool
Constipation is common in older adults who are not considering fiber intake in their diet. With insoluble fiber, you can easily attract water into your stool, thus softening it. This means you will have an easier time passing stool, without the feeling of strain as you make bowel movements. Insoluble fiber is present in whole grains, vegetables, and the skin of fruits. Like soluble fiber, this can also be sourced from plant-based foods.
# 4 – It Makes You Live Longer
Fiber intake is listed among the most crucial factors in making people live longer. This has been proven many times through studies conducted by experts. The reason for such is that with enough intake of nutrients, one is less likely to suffer from a functional disability, dementia, depression, diabetes, and hypertension. All these conditions are common as you age, and if you want to get rid of them, you better consider fiber in your diet.
# 5 – Fiber is Good for the Brain
Many people think that fiber is just for gut health. The truth is that its benefits extend to the brain. Recent studies have shown how fiber impacts the brain as it can spark a chemical reaction that is essential in reducing brain inflammation. This problem is commonly bonded with age-related cognitive decline, as well as other neurodegenerative conditions. If you want to put a stop to this, fiber intake is a solution.
When your loved one is in a senior living community, you can be sure that team members will consider their diet. They will also design activities that your loved ones can participate in, to help them have a better condition while staying there.
