India, June 22 -- A new term is trending across social media: fibermaxxing. As per Google Trends, searches for fiber, dietary fiber and fibermaxxing spiked by over 20% in the last 90 days, sparked by the growing realisation that most of us don't get nearly enough fibre in our diets. Fibermaxxing refers to boosting your fibre intake, either through whole foods or supplements, in a bid to improve digestion, support weight loss, and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. The average adult only consumes about 20g of fibre a day - below the recommended amount - and that's barely enough for a child. The idea behind fibre-maxxing is straightforward: adding more legumes, whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables on your plate. There's a sudden influx of videos showing easy ways to upgrade everyday meals - wholegrain swaps, lentil-packed sauces, and fibre-rich snack hacks. But here's the thing: like most trends, it's easy to get carried away. Dramatically increasing your fibre intake without proper hydration, can backfire intensely. Bloating, cramps, and digestive discomfort are common side effects when your gut isn't prepared for the sudden change. "As someone who's spent years understanding the intricacies of digestive health, I find myself both encouraged and cautious about fibremaxxing. Yes, we do need more fibre, but it's about quality, timing, and individual needs. With trend-driven approaches, people jump in headfirst without understanding the nuances," says Atul Rajani, chemist at Be Supplements. He adds, "Quality supplements should complement a diverse, fibre-rich diet, not replace the fundamentals. Focus on gradually increasing fibre from whole foods and support your gut with research-backed probiotics and prebiotics." Ushakiran Sisodia, chief dietician at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, says, "Everyone's body is different, so the trend can backfire. You can't just overload on excess fibre through food and supplements to promote overall health; that's not how it works! It has to be approached with caution. The first step is assessment by an expert; only if there are issues like chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) should something like this be considered." When asked about alternative ways to include fibre in diets organically, she says, "Have more of millets, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains." Swap white rice for brown, add a handful of berries, stir lentils into soup, and choose snacks that actually nourish your body....