Dietary Needs Should Match Individual Health Needs, Says Nutritionist

According to Mr. Douglas Akuba, an Abuja-based nutritionist, dietary needs differ from person to person and should be tailored toward individual needs and health risks.

Akuba, who is also a food crop and energy expert, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

He described fibre as a carbohydrate that provided certain health benefits to the body but would not provide many calories.

“However, whole food sources of dietary fibre are an important component of a healthy diet and can be beneficial in disease prevention trust source.

“Fiber occurs naturally in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. There are a few different types of fibre, including soluble and insoluble which provide specific health benefits,” he said.

According to him, dietary fibre, the indigestible part of plant material, is made up of two main types.

“Soluble fibre easily dissolves in water and is broken down into a gel-like substance in the part of the gut known as the colon. Insoluble fibre does not dissolve in water and is left intact as food moves through the gastrointestinal tract.

“The term fibre refers to all the parts of plant-based foods that cannot be digested or absorbed by the body. Unlike simple carbohydrates, including most pieces of bread and sugars, fibre is a complex carbohydrate and does not raise blood sugar levels,” he said.

The expert advised that fibre was commonly found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, “It is also sometimes called roughage or bulk. It is an essential nutrient, which means it must be eaten in the diet,” he said.

He said that the health benefits of dietary fibre were many and listed some of the benefits as lowering fat absorption and helping weight management.

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“As a thick, spread-out gel, soluble fibre blocks fats that would otherwise be digested and absorbed.

“Soluble fibre prevents some dietary cholesterol from being broken down and digested. Over time, it can help lower cholesterol levels or the amount of free cholesterol in the blood,” he said.

Akuba said that soluble fibre slowed down the digestion rate of other nutrients, including carbohydrates, thereby stabilising blood sugar (glucose) levels.

“This means meals containing soluble fibre are less likely to cause sharp spikes in blood sugar levels and may prevent them. Some soluble fibre-rich foods feed gut bacteria, as it is fermentable in the colon, and so it helps the bacteria thrive longer,” he said.

He said that insoluble fibre prevented constipation, “As an indigestible material, insoluble fibre sits in the gastrointestinal tract, absorbing fluid and sticking to other byproducts of digestion that are ready to be formed into stool.

“Its presence speeds up the movement and processing of waste, helping prevent gastrointestinal blockage and constipation or reduced bowel movements. By preventing constipation and intestinal blockages, insoluble fibre helps reduce the risk of developing small folds and haemorrhoids in the colon.

“It may also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.”

According to him, soluble fibre slows down how quickly foods are digested, meaning most people feel full longer after fibre-rich meals.

He said that insoluble fibre physically fills up space in the stomach and intestines, furthering the sensation of being full, “These properties can help people manage their weight, and lower disease risk.

“Due to fibre’s many health benefits, a high-fibre diet is associated with a lower risk of many diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and others.”