Does Benefiber go bad?

In this brief guide, we will discuss the following question, “does Benefiber go bad?”, what is Benefiber, its side effects, the recommended period to take Benefiber, and other queries related to this topic.

Does Benefiber go bad? 

Yes, Benefiber can go bad. This product has a shelf life of 2 years and should be stored at a room temperature of 68°- 77°F (20°- 25°C). However, once the bottle is opened it should be consumed within 6 months. Leaving the product open for more than this period can catch humidity from the environment and will clump.

What is Benefiber?

Benefiber is a type of supplement. It has a natural type of soluble fiber and prebiotics, and it helps in digestion and weight management.

However, this supplement is tasteless and dissolves completely in water, soft foods, and non-carbonated drinks. Also, it is available in different forms such as powder, chews, and capsules.

Does Benefiber have side effects?

Yes, Benefiber has side effects if it is excessively consumed. Some of the overconsumption of Benefiber is diarrhea, bloating, and cramping. If you have these symptoms, reduce your intake or stop it.

Moreover, taking a lot of fiber can interfere with nutrient absorption such as magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus, and with some medications such as aspirin, metformin, the cholesterol-lowering medication, and carbamazepine. In addition, giving such supplements to children less than 6 years old is not advisable.

How long can you take Benefiber?

Since Benefiber is a fiber supplement you can not introduce it in large quantities at once. Usually, fiber supplements and fiber-rich food are introduced progressively into the diet, because your gastrointestinal tract can not tolerate large quantities, so start with a small amount for example once per day and increase progressively through two weeks.

Furthermore, you can take Benefiber three times per day or more according to your needs. However, if you feel constipated and you introduced this type of supplement into your diet and your case did not resolve in a week, consider checking up with your doctor for a specific diagnosis.

How does Benefiber function?

Benefiber is a source of soluble fiber. When ingested soluble fiber will form a gel in your digestive tract and helps in reducing the absorption of fat and sugar and other nutrients or slowing it down. However, this mechanism helps you feel full for longer, regulates your blood sugar since sugar passes slowly into your circulation, and regulates your body weight.

Furthermore, many foods contain soluble fiber such as oats, barley, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, figs, apricots, nectarines, carrots, broccoli, avocado, flaxseeds, and sunflower seeds.

In addition, fiber requirements depend on age and gender. Men less than 50 years need 38 grams per day whereas women need 25 grams per day. Once, above 50 years men’s and women’s fiber requirements decrease, to be 30 grams per day for men and 21 grams for women.

What are the alternatives for Benefiber?

Before trying any supplement, try to improve your dietary habits and incorporate more fiber-rich food such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain products, and increase your water intake and your physical activity.

In case you are not able to reach your fiber requirements through food, take some supplements to help you relieve the symptoms of low fiber intake such as constipation. Here is a list of some alternatives for Benefiber:

• Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol)
  
• Colace (docusate)
  
• Fibercon (Calcium Polycarbophil)
  
• Citrate Of Magnesia (Magnesium citrate)

• Metamucil (Psyllium)
  
• Senna-S (Docusate / Senna)

How to use Benefiber?

Since Benefiber comes also as a powder supplement, you can use it to prepare smoothies and pudding and you can put it in your coffee, soup, or tea.

In addition, heat does not damage the supplement but putting the supplement while cooking can change the consistency of the food. However, avoid mixing it with carbonated beverages.

Do fiber pills expire?

Yes, fiber pills expire. Like any product, fiber pills have an expiry date that is usually presented on the bottle of the supplement. So, it is required to consume it within this period.

However, fiber and vitamins do not expire like regular food but will lose their efficacy.

Can you take expired fiber?

Yes, taking expired fiber does not have any harmful effect on your health. Hence, the expired product might not provide you with the benefits needed and its effectiveness will be less.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we discussed the following question, “does Benefiber go bad?”, what is Benefiber, its side effects, the recommended period to take Benefiber, and other queries related to this topic.

References

https://everythingwhat.com/does-benefiber-have-an-expiration-date

https://oureverydaylife.com/480434-the-safety-of-benefiber.html