Why Fiber?

Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health?

Fiber is commonly classified into two categories:

1. Insoluble fiber (Does not dissolve in water) :  This type of fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools. Whole grain Flour, nuts and many vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber.

2. Soluble fiber (Dissolves in water) : This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, Barley, Ragi (Nachini), peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits and carrots.

What is dietary fiber?

Dietary fiber, also known as the bulk that your body can't digest or absorb. Unlike other food components such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates - which your body breaks down and absorbs - fiber isn't digested by your body. Therefore, it passes relatively intact through and out of your body.

A high-fiber diet has many benefits, which include:

1. Normalizes bowel movements: If you have constipation, it helps create a bulky stool making it easier to pass. If you have loose, watery stools, it helps solidify the stool.

2. Lowers blood cholesterol levels: Soluble fiber found in beans, oats, ragi, flaxseed and oat bran may help lower total blood cholesterol levels by lowering low-density lipoprotein, or "bad," cholesterol levels.

3. Helps control blood sugar levels: Fiber, particularly soluble fiber, can slow the absorption of sugar, which for people with diabetes can help improve blood sugar levels.

4. Aids in weight loss: High-fiber foods generally require more chewing time, which gives your body time to register when you're no longer hungry, so you're less likely to overeat. Also, a high-fiber diet tends to make a meal feel larger , tend to less “ energy dense”, which means fewer calories in the same amount of food and linger longer, so you stay full for a greater amount of time.

Take note that one of the staples that is extra-rich in fiber is Ragi, or Finger Millet. Soulfull is a popular brand involved in the marketing of Ragi based products throughout India - you can start from there!

Why Calcium?

Ever wondered why Calcium is so crucial to your health and wellbeing? Read on!

Calcium is one of the most important and abundant minerals in the body. Besides providing the skeletal structure for bones and teeth, calcium plays a key role in many other day-to-day functions of the body. Calcium is important for the normal clotting of the blood, the conduction of nerve impulses, and the contraction and relaxation of muscles and blood vessels, as well as the regulation of body fluids, including hormones and enzymes.

In fact, calcium is so important that your body has a feedback system to maintain calcium at a constant level. Whenever the blood and bodily functions need more calcium, it is pulled from your bones, where it is stored.

Your body can’t make its own calcium, so the only way to get enough is to eat calcium-rich foods. And if you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, you can end up with weakened bones, increasing the risk for fractures later in life.

In fact , good intakes of calcium can help reduce your risk of developing a brittle bone disease (osteoporosis) later in life. Apparently 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 5O face this condition.

Ragi is a Calcium rich grain , almost 10 times that of Rice or Wheat !! Try out Soulfull Ragi Flakes that are rich in Calcium.