Research at the University of Otago in New Zealand has shown a direct relationship between increased fiber intake and reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Systematic studies conducted for almost 40 years have shown that patients with a diet high in fiber compared to those who consumed the least, the risk of death and diseases associated with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer decreased by as much as 15- thirty%. These studies will be used by the World Health Organization to issue new recommendations on fiber intake.
25 grams of fiber
The study's author, Dr. Andrew Reynolds, believes the results point to the need to include more fiber in the diet. "Our study showed that we should consume at least 25 to 29 grams of fiber daily, but most of us consume less than 20 grams," explains Dr. Reynolds. Co-author of the study Professor Jim Mann confirms that the research results are groundbreaking. "This research is important because there is still some confusion in the public mind about how to choose our meals and how our choices affect the risk of certain diseases. We were all aware that fiber has a beneficial effect on our health, but now we have hard evidence. "
Groundbreaking research
The analysis included 58 clinical trials and 185 studies from around the world that deal with the effects of fiber, nutritious foods and the glycemic index. Professor Mann believes that this study is unique in that it analyzed a number of indicators and disease patterns. Previous studies have considered only one factor and a small number of diseases. Studies have shown that people who increased their dietary fiber had lower body weight and cholesterol levels. "It turned out that a high-fiber diet has a huge impact on the body's protection against heart disease, diabetes and cancer," explains Professor Mann.
