Question

What is the main function of roughage?

Answer 1

Hint: Roughage is the portion of plant foods, which our body cannot digest. These can be found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. It is an important food source for the beneficial bacteria, found in our gut.

Complete step by step answer:
Roughage is the fibrous and indigestible material in the food, which aids the passage of food and waste products through the gut. It also absorbs water as it moves through the large intestine. In this way, it allows the fecal matter to be released easily. Not eating enough fiber can negatively affect the health of the person. For example, eating a diet low in fiber (roughage) has been linked to digestive issues like constipation and dysbiosis, which is the abnormal growth of harmful bacteria in the human gut. Increased risk of obesity, colon cancer, and breast cancer has been observed due to the lack of fibers in our diet.
There are two main types of fiber — soluble and insoluble most food higher in roughage content contains a combination of these but is usually richer in one type.
Soluble fiber: It absorbs water to become gel-like, which allows our gut bacteria to break it down easily. E.g., chia seeds and oats.
Insoluble fiber: It has a more rigid structure and does not absorb water. Instead, it adds bulk to stools and is primarily found in fruits and vegetables.

Note:
- Roughage, or fiber, is carbohydrates in the plants that our body cannot digest.
- In our large intestine, the roughage is either broken down by our gut bacteria or exits our body in our stools.
- Roughage also aids in weight management and decreases certain risk factors for heart disease.