“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This old saying could hardly ring more true today, as Americans are finally beginning to realize the critical health benefits of a diet rich in dietary fiber.
Fortunately for you, increasing the fiber content of your diet doesn’t mean you’ll be gnawing on cardboard all day. And, you won’t need any more time in the kitchen than that spent by non-fiber eaters.
In fact, a diet high in fiber can be convenient and tasty – as easy a bowl of bran cereal topped with berries…or as exotic as, say, conchiglie with artichoke sauce, a simple pasta recipe that contains nearly 20 grams of fiber in one serving. There are no limitations.
Many experts will agree that a proper diet takes into account calories, balanced nutrition, vitamins, avoidance of dangerous foods such as saturated fats, and attention to all sources of dietary fiber from fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts and even seeds.
Dietary fiber has long been reported to have many health benefits, but the big five are:
- improvements in gastrointestinal health
- improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin response
- reduction of hyperlipidaemia
- hypertension and other coronary heart disease risk factors
- reduction in the risk of developing some cancers
- and increased satiety (the feeling of “fullness” – hence, some degree of weight management)
Under the less-trendy term “roughage”, fiber enjoyed high praise among our grandparents. During the 1970s its importance was once again trumpeted by British physician Dennis Burkett, who practiced for many years in rural Africa. He attributed the rarity of illnesses such as hernias, hemorrhoids, diabetes, diverticulitis (small outpunchings of the large intestine), heart disease and bowel disease in that area to native diets which were rich in whole grains, seeds, roots, vegetables and nuts. He blamed the high incidence of these disorders in Western countries on a lack of adequate dietary fiber.
His assertions resulted in a new life for fiber, massive promotion of bran cereals, and the oat bran craze. Then there was a long silence. Fiber took a back seat.
Now, however…recent studies are bringing the benefits of fiber back to the forefront. Realizing the benefits of this essential nutrient, the American FDA has permitted product labels to carry health claims that oatmeal and oat cereals may reduce the risk of heart disease – as part of a diet low in fat and cholesterol. But high fiber isn’t just limited to oats any more. Those looking to begin a healthy diet rich in fiber are encouraged to get their daily dose from a variety of sources. And don’t worry, there are plenty to choose from.
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Wow, fantastic information indeed! You made me realize the significance of Fiber-rich foods such as Apple. Thanks a lot.
The apple is good just be careful on how much fiber you do take in. Depending on which foods they come from some can do damage. Some good information on this can be found in the 80/10/10 diet. It is available on amazon.com
WOW.. What a nice post. I really don’t know the benefits of fiber diet. Now i came to know why doctor say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Thanks for sharing such a useful information with us.
I just had a nice visit from my parents, (they live 3 provinces away), and my father brought along his box of all-bran for the trip. We were discussing his health, and as a solution to his high-blood pressure and high-colesterol, his doctor just recently suggested ‘perhaps a lifestyle change is in order’. So, this is one of the changes that my father has been faithfully sticking to – even though he says ‘it’s not that I *like* this for breakfast’. I’m happy about it because I know this small change has more health benefits than may be immediately obvious … the biggest benefit in my opinion is not only the addition of fibre, but more importantly eliminating a meal which historically has been high-fat and empty carbs.