[CoastalCoder]

> I'm not sure why people think fiber is great.

Fiber is good for me because it acts as a stool softener.

In my 40's, I had several bouts of diverticulitis. Hard stool may have been a contributing factor in developing the underlying issue, diverticulosis. I suspect more fiber would have made this less likely.

Later, due to the recurring diverticulitis, I had elective surgery to remove the problematic section of my colon. The surgeon cautioned me to ensure my stool stays soft, so that the place where he stitched my remaining colon back together are at lower risk of opening up. This is a long-term concern, so I'll be careful about it for the rest of my life.

Also, IIUC, straining to pass hard stool increases the risk of swollen hemorrhoids, which nobody enjoys.