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You're listening to LifeKit from NPR.

Hey everybody, it's MaryL.

When I say the word fiber, what do you think about?

Maybe pooping? You were probably taught that fiber keeps you regular.

And it does do that, but also so much more.

NPR science correspondent Maria Godoy says fiber is kind of like

the Peter Parker of food.

You think it's kind of this nerdy new tram, but it's actually really

secretly a dietary superhero? Yeah, a superhero.

Because this carbohydrate, which occurs naturally in plants,

has a ton of health benefits.

It lowers cholesterol. It helps regulate blood sugar levels.

It keeps your hunger in check.

And it is the primary food source for the trillions of microbes

that live in our guts.

And those microbes play really a critical role in so many aspects of good health.

On today's episode of LifeKit, Maria and I talk all things fiber.

How it works in our bodies, the best ways to get it,

...