High-fibre diet can reduce risk of chronic disease, new study finds

A diet high in fibre can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like stroke and premature death, according to a new study.

Author of the study, Andrew Reynolds, a researcher at the University of Otago in New Zealand found that higher intakes of fibre “led to a reduced incidence of a surprisingly broad range of relevant diseases (heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer).”

“The health benefits of dietary fibre appear to be even greater than we thought previously,” co-author of the study Jim Mann, professor of human nutrition and medicine at the University of Otago, told a news portal.

The study found people who incorporate fibre into their diet reduced their risk of this kind of health issue by close to 15 and 30 percent. The results also showed on average, a fibre-rich diet reduced the risk of stroke by 22 percent, type 2 diabetes by 16 percent and coronary heart disease by 30 per cent.

Experts recommend eating 25 grams to 29 grams of fibre daily. Bananas, oranges, apples, carrots, beets, broccoli, collard greens, swiss chard and spinach are all rich in fibre that you need to add to your shopping list.

While the research found no dangers in consuming a high fibre diet, experts recommend that whole grains can be beneficial for people with iron deficiency.