The Importance of Fibre in your Diet

Fibre helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check. Foods rich in fibre also contain powerful protective agents, such as antioxidants and phytochemicals. High fibre diets can also help in weight control as it keeps your bowels moving, helps you feel full and reduces the urge to snack. More importantly, fibre reduces the risk of chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol. Most of us aren’t achieving the suggested daily targets.

There are two types of Fibre

• Soluble fibre, which dissolves in water, can help lower glucose levels as well as help lower blood cholesterol. Foods with soluble fibre include oatmeal, nuts, beans, lentils, apples and blueberries.
• Insoluble fibre, which does not dissolve in water, can help food move through your digestive system, promoting regularity and helping prevent constipation. Foods with insoluble fibres include wheat, whole wheat bread, whole grain couscous, brown rice, legumes, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Daily Requirements

For men the goal is 38 g of fibre per day, for women it’s 28g of fibre per day.

Research on Fibre and Disease/ Health

A 2011 study showed that a high intake of dietary fibre, in particular cereal fibre and whole grains, was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (1).

A 2016 review of over 45 previous studies provided further evidence that whole grain intake is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and total cancer, and mortality from all causes, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes, and all non-cardiovascular, non-cancer causes. These findings support dietary guidelines that recommend increased intake of whole grain to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and premature mortality (2).

A Harvard university study showed that each additional 10 grams of daily fibre (ie two apples, or one apple and a two slices of whole-wheat bread) was associated with a 13 per cent reduced risk of breast cancer. The breast cancer study tracked 90,000 US women for more than two decades and found fibre from fruit and vegetables appeared to have the strongest protective effect. Scientists believe that fibre may protect against breast cancer by blocking the absorption of oestrogen, which is closely linked to the disease.

References:

1. http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/343/bmj.d6617.full.pdf

2. http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/353/bmj.i2716.full.pdf