Why are whole grains considered beneficial for digestive health?

Whole grains are considered beneficial for digestive health primarily because they are high in fiber. Fiber plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health by promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. It aids in adding bulk to the stool, which helps with the effective passage through the digestive tract. Furthermore, dietary fiber can also support healthy gut bacteria, which is essential for overall digestive function.

Whole grains also contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which contribute to overall health but are not the main reason for their benefit to digestive health. Therefore, while options suggesting added sugars or refinement indicate lower nutritional value and could harm digestion, they do not apply to whole grains. The options concerning essential nutrients misrepresent the composition of whole grains, which are known for their rich nutrient content rather than lacking it.