Many people believe that fruit and vegetable juice contains no fiber because most of the pulp is ejected by the juicer during the juicing process. This is not true. Fruit and vegetable juice is loaded with soluble fiber and can also contains smaller amounts of insoluble fiber, depending on the fruit or vegetable juiced.

Dietary fiber is an important need for overall health. The National Academies' Institute of Medicine recommends consumption of about 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day. However, the typical American only consumes around 12 to 15 grams of fiber per day. Making fresh home made juice with a juicer is an easy way to obtain healthy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and close the fiber deficiency that most Americans have.

Fiber is found in all plant based foods and is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive process. There are two kinds of fiber: insoluble and soluble. Soluble fiber, found in beans, oats, and some fruits and vegetables, can be dissolved in water. Soluble fiber aids the digestive process and promotes overall health by lowering cholesterol and limiting sugar absorption. Insoluble fiber, which is in wheat bran and some fruits and vegetables, cannot be dissolved in water. Insoluble fiber acts as a natural laxative.

Some plants contain significant amounts of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Plums are a great example of a very healthy fruit to juice. The plum's skin contains insoluble fiber, while its interior juicy flesh and meat has soluble fiber.

Soluble fiber is found in all plant foods, including:

• Fruits including plums, berries, bananas, apples and pears
• Peas, soybeans, and other beans
• Vegetables like broccoli and carrots

Published 1/29/2010 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Fiber