Zestz for LAUGHS? : High Fibre Diet Extends Life

Bing and Leann [1] were 85 years old and had been married for 60 years. Though they were far from rich, they managed to get by because they watched their pennies.

They had been in good health the last ten years, mainly due to Leann's interest in health food and exercising. When they reached the Pearly Gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion, which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen, master bath suite and a Jacuzzi. As they looked around, Bing asked St. Peter how much all this was going to cost.

'Why, nothing,' Peter replied, 'remember, this is your reward in Heaven.'

Bing looked out the window and right there he saw a championship golf course, finer and more beautiful than any ever built on Earth.

'What are the greens fees?,' grumbled Bing. 'This is heaven,' St. Peter replied. 'You can play for free, every day.'

Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch, with every imaginable cuisine laid out before them, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, free flowing beverages.

'Don't even ask,' said St. Peter to Bing. This is Heaven, it is all free for you to enjoy.'

Bing looked around and glanced nervously at Leann. 'Well, where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods and the decaffeinated tea?,' he asked.

That's the best part,' St. Peter replied. 'You can eat and drink as much as you like of whatever you like and you will you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven!'

With that, Bing went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and screaming wildly. St. Peter and Leann both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong. Bing looked at Leanne and said,' 'This is all your fault! If it weren't for your blasted Bran Flakes, I could have been here ten years ago!''

[1] Bung and Liana, Ah Beng and Ah Lian or Bala and Letchumi for the culturally sensitive.

Original author unknown. Picture Credit

Eating a diet rich in fiber helps keep your digestive system healthy and can lower your risk of developing various conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, diverticular disease, and constipation.

There are two different types of fiber -- soluble and insoluble.

• Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion. This slows digestion. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease.
• Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. It adds bulk to the stool and appears to help food pass more quickly through the stomach and intestines.

While fiber supplements can be used to fulfill this requirement, it is not recommended that you use them as substitute for eating a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables also contain important nutrients, such as vitamins, that cannot be obtained through a fiber supplement.

You can also go overboard on your fiber intake. Eating excessive amounts of fiber can lead to bloating, gas and other symptoms of digestive discomfort.