What function does dietary fiber in butter beans perform for the digestive tract?
Adds bulk to stool for efficient waste transit
Dietary fiber, abundant in legumes like butter beans, is crucial for maintaining digestive health primarily because it is largely indigestible by human enzymes. This indigestible material passes through the system, adding necessary bulk to the stool. This increased volume is fundamental because it helps stimulate peristalsis, the muscular contractions that move waste material through the large intestine. Consequently, this bulk ensures that waste moves efficiently and regularly through the digestive tract, preventing sluggish transit times which can lead to various gastrointestinal discomforts. This function of adding bulk is distinct from the role fiber plays in feeding the gut microbiome, though both are vital roles of fiber.
