Multiple Fiber Sources Best to Prevent Heart Disease

December 26th 2005

Another study shows a link between a high fiber diet and a lower heart disease risk.  The new study went a step further and compared various sources of fiber.  The French research looked at fiber from nuts, fruit, grains and vegetables.

The study led by Denis Lairon, researcher at the French National Health Institute (INSERM) indicates that multiple sources of fiber can benefit the heart in multiple ways.  For instance fiber from whole grains helps lower blood pressure, the body mass index (BMI) and the blood protein called homocysteine.  Homocysteine can be a contributing risk factor for heart disease.

Fruit fiber is associated with lower blood pressure and less abdominal fat according to Reuters Health.  Both homocysteine concentrations and blood pressure may be lowered by eating vegetables. 

Fiber from nuts, dried fruit and seeds was also beneficial.  These foods will likely lower your BMI, lessen the risk of abdominal fat and lower blood sugar levels.

According to Lairon, the research points to the importance of multiple fiber sources.  Also since each 5 gram increase above the recommended daily intake reduced the risks of being overweight or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it may be wise to eat more than the recommended 25 grams of fiber per day.

It has been estimated that American adults only consume about 15 grams of fiber per day.  The study was published in the December 2005 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  It included 6000 participants.

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