Common sources of soluble fiber include oats, oat bran, barley, dried beans, peas, and certain fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, apples, potatoes, citrus, and prunes.
Traditionally, fibers have been categorized as insoluble or soluble. However, recent research shows that fiber’s solubility does not always define its health effects. It is expected that the descriptions of soluble or insoluble will be discouraged in the future.
Foods rich in fiber help prevent diverticulosis, which is the formation of intestinal pouches. Fiber contributes to the bulk of stool in the colon, which means less forceful contractions are needed to move the stool; therefore, intestinal pouches aren’t so readily formed.