People whose diets are high in refined foods (including sugar and white flour) and low in fiber content are especially susceptible to intestinal problems. In fact, colon and rectal disorders are much more common in America than Africa, where the average diet contains seven times as much fiber as in the United States.

The colon works best when it is moderately full. Dietary fiber fills this need. Although it contains no nutrients, fiber helps promote good health by providing the necessary bulk to encourage timely movement of fecal material through the colon. As this happens, certain toxic materials are removed along with many times the fiber’s weight in water. This is important because it helps maintain bowel regularity and shortens the time toxic materials remain in the body