Higher Intake of Fiber = Reduced Risk of Death

Dietary fiber is defined as ingestible parts of a plant and can be found in foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables. Research has shown dietary fiber lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes and even some cancers but the benefits of fiber do not stop here. Results from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study have shown that men and women consuming the most dietary fiber were 22% less likely to die from any cause compared to those consuming the least dietary fiber. Also, people with higher dietary fiber intake were less likely to die of CVD and infectious or respiratory diseases.

The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming 14g/1000 calories of dietary fiber per day and encourages people to eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and other foods with naturally occurring fiber to meet the recommendation.