Positive or problematic? Here's how much fibre you really need

Key points

• Australians are eating less fibre than recommended, with men averaging about 21 grams a day and women about 18 grams, against daily targets of 30 and 25 grams.
• Adelaide University nutrition expert Evangeline Mantzioris says the social media fibre-maxxing trend is mostly positive, but warns that very high intakes offer little extra benefit and can cause wind.
• She advises getting fibre from a range of whole foods rather than supplements, and increasing intake slowly while drinking enough fluids.