Accra: Dr. Saiid Kwaku Adu, a Health Advocate, has highlighted the critical importance of consuming both fibre-rich and fibreless foods in appropriate proportions to maintain good health. He stated, "We need one third of the food we eat to be fibreless, while about two thirds should be fibre-rich foods. For good health, we need both fibre-rich and fibreless foods in the right proportion to stay healthy."
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Adu elaborated on the consequences of imbalanced fibre intake during an interview. He explained that a diet predominantly composed of fibre-rich foods can result in loose and watery stools, whereas a lack of fibre can lead to constipation with dry, solid waste. He emphasized the need for individuals to have soft stools that can be evacuated easily without much effort.
Dr. Adu also advised people to pay attention to their stool characteristics, noting that the color of waste from fibreless foods tends to be deep brown, while waste from fibre-containing foods is light brown. He pointed out that neither color is ideal, and that achieving a dark brown stool color indicates a balanced intake of fibre-rich and fibreless foods, leading to optimal stool texture.
The Health Advocate further suggested that individuals experiencing constipation should consider increasing their intake of fibre-rich foods. Conversely, if stools are overly watery or too soft, incorporating more fibreless foods into their diet may be beneficial.