Fibermaxxing Is Booming. Experts Say Ramp Up Slowly.
Gut health experts back the fibermaxxing trend but warn that jumping from little fiber to a lot can bring bloating and discomfort.
Fiber is having a social media moment. Experts say the trend is sound, but the speed is the problem.
TLDR
- Fibermaxxing means deliberately boosting daily fiber intake.
- The trend is growing alongside GLP-1 medication use.
- Jumping to high fiber too fast can cause bloating.
- Experts recommend variety and a gradual increase.
What Fibermaxxing Is
Fibermaxxing encourages people to eat more fiber for gut health, digestion and fullness. It has spread on social media, often alongside GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Experts are pushing a “smart fibermaxxing” approach that favors fiber diversity over a single source.
The Gut Needs Time
Dr. Megan Rossi, a gut health researcher and founder of Bio&Me and Smart Strains, said the body can handle a lot of fiber. Ancestral diets included “100 grams of fiber plus a day,” she noted. The issue is the jump.
“If you go from little fiber to loads of fiber, you’re going to potentially get some uneasy symptoms, maybe some extra bloating and discomfort in your gut,” Rossi said.
The advice is to build up gradually with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.
Why It Matters
Fiber claims are moving onto more packs, from snacks to drinks. Brands chasing the trend can help shoppers by pairing high-fiber products with clear guidance on how much to start with. Variety across sources is the message experts want on the label.
Source: NutraIngredients. Read the report.