how does fiber work to help both constipation AND diarrhea? how can it do both of those things?

Question

I’ve heard people say, “if you’re constipated, you need more fiber in your diet.” and I’ve also heard people say, “if you’re having diarrhea, you need more fiber in your diet.” does fiber really help with both? and if so, how? I would think that fiber would help with diarrhea but make constipation worse. (TMI) >!but multiple times, eating fiber-heavy foods like flax seeds has caused diarrhea for me.!<

TLDR: how does fiber work to influence your bowel movements??

In: Biology

Answer 1

You have to understand what fiber does in your body. It goes all the way through and gives all your little microbes some bacteria they need which helps the gut microbiome which can help diarrhea and it goes all the way through undigested which helps if you can’t poop.