What is fiber?

What Does fiber Mean

Before delving into the meaning of the term fiber, it is necessary to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it is a word that derives from Latin, exactly from "fiber", which has the same meaning.

The notion of fiber has several uses. The term can be used to refer to the filaments that make up the tissues of an animal or plant organism.
The muscle fibers in this context are contractile cells that form muscle tissue. These fibers shorten when the muscle is subjected to a stimulus: after this contraction, the fiber recovers.
A nerve fiber , meanwhile, consists of one or more axons surrounded by an envelope. The function of these fibers is to transport nerve impulses to the brain and to the glands and muscles.

Fiber, on the other hand, is the name of a nutritional component with healthy characteristics. Although they are not nutrients, the fibers - present in legumes, cereals, vegetables and fruits - improve digestion .
In addition to because they improve digestion, it is recommended to take foods rich in fiber because they bring with them another series of advantages, among which we can highlight the following:

-Avoid constipation problems.

-Prevent the onset of heart diseases.

-Help reduce blood glucose levels.

-They dramatically decrease cholesterol.

-They help to keep the intestine in perfect condition.

-Reduce the risks of colon cancer.

-They contribute to having the weight under control.
Specifically, among the foods that are considered richest in fiber are plums, spinach, walnuts, figs, artichokes, almonds, pears, bananas or asparagus, for example.
It is important to establish that when it comes to fiber when it comes to food, there are two different types:

-Soluble fiber, which is identified because it reduces cholesterol. Also, it should be noted that it causes the digestive process to be slow. This group includes foods such as lentils or walnuts.

-Insoluble fiber, which brings about an acceleration in the passage that food makes through the stomach and intestines. Of this type are from whole grains to wheat bran, for example.
In the field of industry , a fiber is a filament with different uses. If we focus on the textile sector, fibers are the threads that can be used for the development of yarns and fabrics. There are natural fibers (obtained from nature), artificial fibers (from natural materials but processed by humans) and synthetic fibers (man-made). Silk, wool, cotton, and nylon are examples of textile fibers.

It is called optical fiber , moreover, to the glass yarn that can transmit data. Optical fiber is used in telecommunications networks for the transport of light pulses that allow the representation of information .
Lastly, in a symbolic way, vigor and sensitivity are called fiber . For example: “The team lacks fiber” , “This movie touched my heart and it really touched me” .