Do High Fiber Foods Work?

January 16, 2008 by GiGi

Welcome back!

From our friends at VRP:

Ever wonder if eating high fiber foods were benefiting your body? You hear so much about what foods to eat, and what foods to stay away from…so, are the foods rich in fiber doing our bodies good?!

According to two new studies, fiber actually improves lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also reduces the risk of uterine cancer.

In a lung function study done in 1987-1989, scientists investigated the association of fiber intake with pulmonary function and COPD. This study was done using 11, 897 men and women. They were all a part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

Positive associations were found between fiber intake, from all sources including cereal and fruit alone, and lung function.

The study showed that the people who consumed the most fiber lowered their COPD risk by 15 percent. The highest intake of cereal had a 17 percent lower risk, while fruit fiber had 28 percent.

Researchers said that this was the first known evidence that shows that fiber helps with better lung function and reduces prevalence of COPD.

There was another new study done on fiber that investigated its role in uterine cancer protection, the most common female gynecologic cancer in the U.S.
Although fiber's role in endometrial cancer has been given little attention, it has been shown to lower estrogen concentrations, and help prevent obesity.

Scientists noted that women could decrease their risk of endometrial cancer by more than 20%, if there was 5 grams of dietary fiber per 1,000 calories consumed.

What Foods are Rich in Fiber?

You guessed it – fruits, nuts, whole grains and vegetables. Here's a more detailed, comprehensive list:

Mayo Clinic's High Fiber Foods

Hard fitting that list in your diet? Maybe you have other problems that don't allow you to eat some of those items. Try this:

EZ FIBER