Dietary fiber is healthy — cereal fiber even better

Dietary fiber is healthy — cereal fiber even better


Physicians have been recommending we get more fiber in our diet for many years. It’s a good way to lose weight and stay healthy. Dietary fiber is known to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. It lowers cholesterol and helps maintain general bowel health. Who doesn’t want that?

Here’s a gut check: Not all the fiber you’re eating is equal.

A recent study out of Columbia University looked at the diets of older adults and found that a diet high in total fiber was associated with a decrease in dangerous inflammation. And that was related to a decrease in risk of cardiovascular disease.

But the fine print gets interesting. Researchers found that cereal fiber, and not fruit and vegetable fiber, reduced inflammation, which lowers the risk to your heart.

The investigation analyzed data from more than 4,000 participants who were asked about their diet starting in 1989. Their health was then tracked for the next 25 years.

Scientists aren’t sure why cereal fibers produce these results. They also believe that inflammation plays only a modest role in in cardiovascular risk and that other factors might be at play, too.

Cereal fiber, of course, isn’t only about breakfast. It can be found in brown rice, barley, whole wheat pasta and seeds, in addition to bran.

While this study looked at older adults, research has previously shown that the health benefit of fiber isn’t limited to any one age group. Unfortunately, research has shown that most Americans don’t get enough roughage.

It’s important to note that nobody is arguing that veggie and fruit fiber are unhealthy.

But cereal fiber might just offer the most oomph in the fight against inflammation.

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