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The likelihood of developing
heart disease is indeed lower with a diet high in fiber, especially
water-soluble fiber, according to a study in the latest issue of The Archives of
Internal Medicine, published by the American Medical Association.
The findings are based on data
from nearly 10,000 subjects participating in the National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up study. When they enrolled, the
participants completed a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire, which was used to
calculate nutrient intake
They were then followed for an
average of 19 years. During that time, over 1800 cases of coronary heart disease
occurred, as well as nearly 3800 cases of other vascular diseases.
Dr. Jiang He of Tulane
University in New Orleans, and others, estimate that individuals with the
highest amount of fiber in their diet had a 12 percent lower risk of heart
disease than those with the lowest intake of fiber
The reduction in risk of other
vascular diseases with high fiber consumption was 11 percent.
Protection against heart
disease was even stronger for high levels of soluble fiber consumption, with a
reduction in risk of 15 percent.
The results "support the
existing American Heart Association recommendations to increase dietary fiber
intake from foods to approximately 25 to 30 grams per day," Dr. He's group
concludes.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003.