Viscous fiber

Fiber is both diet fad and fixture for good health – a doctor explains why there is no one-size-fits-all way to increase your intake

<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/759964/original/file-20260915-50-idxor6.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.1&rect=180%2C0%2C1948%2C1298&q=45&auto=format&w=1050&h=700&fit=crop" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Many whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, are high in fiber.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/high-fiber-foods-royalty-free-image/1020930592">bit245/iStock via Getty Images Plus</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The numbers are clear: <a href="https://nutrition.org/most-americans-are-not-getting-enough-fiber-in-our-diets/">Americans aren’t getting enough fiber</a>. </p> <p>Research has consistently shown that high-fiber diets are linked to <a href="https://theconversation.com/fiber-is-your-bodys-natural-guide-to-weight-management-rather-than-cutting-carbs-out-of-your-diet-eat-them-in-their-original-fiber-packaging-instead-205159">significant health benefits<