6 Best Fiber Supplements That Will Keep Your Gut Happy – CNET

Fiber is an essential carbohydrate that our bodies can't break down. It passes through our system undigested, which helps our body regulate how it uses sugar and preserves digestion function. Unfortunately, most people don't get enough of it. It's estimated that only 5% of people consume the recommended amount of fiber daily. Women should try to eat at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should aim for 30 to 38 grams a day.

Fiber supplements help regulate digestion, prevent constipation and manage glucose and cholesterol levels. But before we jump into the picks for the best fiber supplements, there's an important distinction that you need to know.

There are two types of fiber -- soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Insoluble fiber is the type that helps move food through your digestive system.

Benefiber Original is wheat dextrin, a byproduct of milling wheat. It takes our spot as the best budget fiber supplement thanks to its low cost and versatility. Note that the low price means that this fiber supplement has less fiber per serving than other brands. Depending on your goal dosage per serving, this is something to consider.

Benefiber only has soluble fiber, which makes it a great option for people who want to use a fiber supplement to manage their blood sugar. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is good for both diarrhea and constipation, while insoluble fiber helps with constipation. This fiber supplement is tasteless and dissolves easily in cold and hot liquids. Or you can add it to food while you cook -- it won't thicken or add a flavor.

Benefiber is also available in convenient on-the-go packets that offer a single serving of fiber supplement. Not all brands offer this; it's a great perk for people who want to take their fiber supplement with lunch.

Cost: $11.82 for 8.7-ounce container (62 servings)

Fiber per serving: 3 grams of soluble fiber per 2 teaspoons.

Benefiber Original's best features:

Things to consider:

Vitafusion Fiber Well Fit Gummies is one of the best gummy fiber supplements you can get for children or people who have trouble swallowing pills. These gummies are sugar-free and come in natural berry, peach and strawberry flavors. User reviews rave about the taste and how easy these gummies are to chew. They also praise the effectiveness of this product.

With each serving, you also get essential B vitamins, folic acid and biotin. Many fiber supplements don't have other vitamins or minerals included.

Cost: $9.83 for 90 gummies

Fiber per serving: 5 grams of soluble fiber per two gummies

Vitafusion Fiber Well Fit Gummies' best features:

Things to consider:

If you're looking for a food-source fiber supplement, consider Spectrum Essentials Organic Ground Chia Seeds. These ground chia seeds are a whole food form of fiber. They're a little less versatile than other fiber supplements, as they have a nutty taste and don't dissolve into drinks. So you'll always know the chia seeds are there, but if you like the taste, they can give water, smoothies or food a boost of fiber.

Chia seeds are full of fiber and offer a great way to aid digestion. As a bonus, chia seeds also have omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to decreasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Cost: $11 for 10-ounce pack

Fiber per serving: 4 grams of dietary fiber per 2 tablespoons

Spectrum Essentials Organic Ground Chia Seeds' best features:

Things to consider:

Metamucil sugar-free fiber powder is a natural psyllium husk powder four-in-one fiber supplement that's meant to help digestive health, control appetite and lower cholesterol and sugar levels. A review of research supports the claims that psyllium husk has cardiovascular, cholesterol and blood sugar benefits.

You can choose from either unflavored, berry or orange powders. Note that reviews suggest that the strong orange flavor can be polarizing -- you either like it or you don't. However, other users say that Metamucil is smooth and easier to drink than other brands, allowing you to add it to water, juice or smoothies without issue.

Cost: $29 for a 2.3-pound container

Serving size: 6 grams of soluble fiber per 2 teaspoons

Metamucil Sugar-Free Powder's best features:

Things to consider:

Garden of Life Organic Fiber Supplement contains no added sugars. It's made from five natural ingredients, including acacia fiber, organic orange peel, organic baobab fruit, apple peel and cranberry seed. Each serving delivers 5 grams of prebiotic fiber.

This fiber supplement includes both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it one of the best fiber supplements for constipation. Garden of Life is a certified B corporation. This means that all of its products produced comply with social and environmental standards.

You can choose from unflavored powder or citrus. If you want to mix in the powder with drinks or food, we recommend the unflavored version.

Cost: $19.97 for a 10-serving container

Fiber per serving: 5 grams of insoluble fiber and 4 grams of soluble fiber per tablespoon.

Garden of Life Organic Fiber Supplement best features:

Things to consider:

If you're looking for a budget-friendly fiber supplement that includes both soluble and insoluble fiber, consider NOW supplements psyllium husk powder. It's a good addition to your diet if you struggle with constipation. You can bake it into food or add it to your daily smoothie.

This fiber supplement has the highest fiber concentration on the list, with seven grams of dietary fiber, one gram of insoluble fiber and six grams of soluble fiber. You also get eight percent of the recommended daily value of iron for the day.

Cost: $11 for a 12-ounce container

Fiber per serving: 7 grams of dietary fiber, 6 grams of soluble fiber and 1 gram of insoluble fiber

NOW Supplements Psyllium Husk Powder's best features:

Things to consider:

When choosing the best fiber supplements for this list, we considered the price, type of fiber supplement and ingredients. Additionally, as the supplement industry isn't well regulated by the FDA, we relied on additional certifications that vouch for the quality and purity of products. We did not test these fiber supplements in-house.

There are a lot of fiber supplements on the market, all varying by price, type and form. When you start your search, keep these key factors in mind:

Fiber is an essential carbohydrate that our bodies use to manage the body's sugars, hunger and digestion. Our bodies can't break down fiber, so it passes through our digestive systems undigested. This adds weight and softens stool, making it easier to pass.

Fiber-dense foods:

Despite fiber being present in so many foods, many people don't get enough of itfrom their diet. That's where fiber supplements come in.

How often should you take fiber supplements?

Fiber supplements are generally considered safe for everyday use. But you should only take them if you're not getting enough fiber from your food.

There are side effects to fiber supplements that shouldn't be ignored, however. Your fiber supplement can cause constipation if you take too much too quickly or if you aren't drinking enough water. When you start your fiber supplements, it's best to start slowly and at a lower dose, then work your way up.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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6 Best Fiber Supplements That Will Keep Your Gut Happy - CNET