Why is Fiber Important?

These statements are entirely thoughts of the author and not claims made by the company. The Author was compensated to create this article.

All foods are digested in your stomach and small intestine.

Right?

The truth of the matter is that dietary fiber does not break down in your stomach and small intestine.

And that’s a good thing!

What is Dietary Fiber?

Instead of being digested in your stomach and small intestine, dietary fiber goes straight to your large intestine. When digested in the large intestine, dietary fiber produces short chain fatty acids, which have anti-carcinogenic properties.

Hero Bread baked goods are rich in resistant wheat starch which is a dietary fiber that acts as a prebiotic (food source) for the good bacteria in your gut. As more good —and less bad—bacteria develop in your large intestine, gut health is improved.

Signs of healthy gut include:

Symptoms of an unhealthy gut include:

Heartburn
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Constipation
Diarrhea

Fiber comes in two varieties, and both are beneficial to your health:

Soluble fiber

This is the kind of fiber that dissolves in water
Soluble fiber can help lower blood-glucose levels, as well as help lower blood cholesterol
Soluble fiber may also help lower total blood cholesterol levels by lowering low-density lipoprotein—or "bad"—cholesterol levels

Resistant starches—like the kind found in Hero Bread products——behave like soluble fiber due to their water solubility and indigestibility, without losing their mouth feel and palatability.

Insoluble fiber

This kind of fiber does not dissolve in water
Insoluble fiber can help food move through your digestive system, promoting regularity and helping prevent constipation

What Are the Benefits of a High-Fiber Diet?

When it comes to relieving constipation, dietary fiber has always been The GOAT. Did you also know, however, that dietary fiber:

Helps Maintain Bowel Health

May lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids
A high-fiber diet likely lowers the risk of colorectal cancer

Improves Heart Health

Studies have shown that high-fiber foods may have heart-health benefits, such as:

Helps Control Blood-Sugar Levels

A healthy diet that includes insoluble fiber may also reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Aids in Achieving Healthy Weight

High-fiber foods tend to be more filling than low-fiber foods, so you're likely to eat less and stay satisfied longer.

How Much Dietary Fiber Should You Eat Per Day?

National consumption surveys indicate that only about 5% of the population meets recommendations of dietary-fiber intake. Inadequate intakes of dietary fiber have been called a public health concern.

Most Americans get less than half the suggested amounts of daily fiber.

Women should try to eat at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber per day. Men should aim for 30 to 38 grams per day.

Is Hero Bread High in Dietary Fiber?*

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, commercially prepared white bread contains 0.783 grams of fiber per slice.

Hero Bread’s Classic White Bread contains 11 grams of fiber per slice.

The Hero Classic Plain Bagel contains 21 grams of fiber per bagel, and the limited edition Hero Croissant contains 20 grams of fiber per croissant.

What Other Foods Are High in Dietary Fiber?

If you want to find other foods rich in prebiotic fiber, look no further than:

Almonds
Bananas
Whole grain wheat
Whole grain corn
Whole grain rye and barley
Soy
Cabbage
Jicama
Peas
Eggplant
Artichoke
Oat
Raw leafy greens: dandelion, leak, endive, radicchio (chicory)
Beans

Ready to Try Hero Bread?

Looking to increase your fiber intake? From toast to sandwiches, Hero Bread fits your lifestyle: flavorful, satisfying and low net carb—giving you the freedom to load up on toppings.

You can find Hero Bread in grocery stores nationwide, including Publix, Sprouts, Safeway and Whole Foods. Use the Hero Bread store locator to find a store near you. Prefer to shop from home? Explore the full lineup and order online from the official Hero Bread website.

*All figures are per serving of Hero Bread. Contains 2 to 17 grams of fat per serving. See the product nutrition panels on hero.co for more information.