What is dietary fibre or roughage?

Dietary fibre, also called roughage, is the part of plant-based food that our body cannot digest completely. It does not provide energy or nutrients, but it plays an important role in maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Roughage adds bulk to the food and helps the movement of waste materials through the digestive tract. This supports proper digestion and helps prevent constipation by making the removal of undigested food easier.

Common sources of dietary fibre include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses, beans, and green leafy vegetables. Foods such as cereals with bran, apples, carrots, and other fibre-rich foods help improve digestive health.

Although roughage is a non-nutrient component of food, it is an essential part of a balanced diet because it keeps the digestive system functioning properly. A diet lacking enough fibre may cause digestive problems such as difficulty in passing stool.

Including fibre-rich foods along with carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water helps maintain a healthy and balanced diet.