4 reasons to include more fibre in your diet
Updated: Jul. 16, 2019
Fibre gives whole grains, fruits and vegetables their snap, crunch and crispiness. And since your body can’t digest fibre, it passes through without adding calories. Read on to find out more about the benefits of fibre
It sustains long-term weight loss
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists tracked the diets of 2,909 men and women over the course of 10 years. Those who chose high-fibre foods ended up weighing almost 10 pounds less, on average.
It keeps cholesterol levels in check
High-fibre foods have been shown to lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol. A study by University of Toronto researchers showed that a diet that gets more than one-third of calories from high-fibre foods can lower LDL cholesterol by 33 percent. Volunteers on a high-fibre diet saw their LDL drop within the first week.
It prevents diabetes
In two major studies conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, people who ate the most fibre from whole grains had the lowest risk for type 2 diabetes. Eating high-fibre grains cut their risk for the disease by 30 percent.
It reduces cancer risk
Many studies show a lower risk of several kinds of cancer among people who include lots of fibre in their diets. By eating a healthier diet based on plant foods, most of us could cut our cancer risk by at least one-third, experts say.
Related:
• Why Brendan Brazier wants you to eat more plants
• 6 ways to sneak more fibre into your diet
• The 5 vegetables that are highest in fibre
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