Research conducted at the University of Otago, New Zealand have shown a direct relationship between fiber intake and a greater reduction in the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer of the colon.
Systematic studies conducted for almost 40 years have shown that patients with a diet rich in fiber compared with those who ate the least fiber, the risk of death and disease associated with coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer has dropped by as much as 15- thirty%. These studies will be used by the World Health Organization to issue new recommendations regarding fiber intake.
25 grams of fiber
Author of the study, Dr. Andrew Reynolds believes that the results point to the need to incorporate more fiber into your diet. "Our study showed that we should consume at least 25 to 29 grams of fiber a day, but most of us consume less than 20 grams," - explains Dr. Reynolds. Study co-author, Professor Jim Mann confirms that the test results are groundbreaking. "These studies are important because public opinion is still some ambiguity as to how to choose our meals and the impact our choices have on the risk of certain diseases. We were all aware that fiber has beneficial effects on our health, but now we have the hard evidence. "
groundbreaking research
The analysis included 58 trials and 185 studies from around the world that deal with the impact of fiber, nutritious food and the glycemic index. Professor Mann believes that this study is unique because it analyzed a number of indicators and runs diseases. Previous studies take into account only one factor and a small number of diseases. Research has shown that individuals who have increased the amount of fiber in the diet had a lower body weight and cholesterol levels. "We found that high-fiber diet has a huge impact on the protection of the body against heart disease, diabetes and cancer" - explains Professor Mann.