Dietary fiber is useful for many things. Insoluble fiber, like wheat bran, is not digested and is perfect for constipation sufferers as it helps keep you regular. Soluble fibers, like glucomannan or acacia, help your body keep blood sugar controlled. Everyone needs both types of fiber in their diet as they work together to keep you healthy.

Recently, doctors wanted to test for a link between fiber in the diet and blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes.

Researchers analyzed 13 fiber studies, each lasting from eight to 24 weeks and covering 605 people with type 2 diabetes.

Overall, doctors found high-fiber diets with up to 43 grams of fiber per day, or supplements with up to 15 grams of fiber per day, reduced long-term average glucose levels by 0.55 percent, and reduced average fasting glucose levels by 9.97 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).

Discussing their findings, doctors said these studies confirm that increasing fiber improved glycemic control, and physicians should consider fiber as a safe, natural additional tool in treating those with type 2 diabetes.

Raise your dietary fiber intake to help increase your ability to resist sugar cravings. Giving in to every sugar whim can contribute to obesity, more blood sugar issues, and even be harmful to heart health.

Reference: Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity; 2013, Vol. 6, 49-56