Study Reveals High Intake of Fiber Could be Key to Healthy Aging & Fighting Disease
29 Jun 2016 --- A recent study from University of Sydney suggests that eating a diet rich in high fiber foods could be the key to successful ageing.
The study took place over a 10-year period and followed a total of 1,609 adults aged 49 years and older, all whom were free of illnesses such as cancer, coronary artery disease, and stroke when the study started.
The study involved monitoring the dietary data of each of the participants, using food questionnaires to assess things like their total consumption of sugar, carbohydrates and fiber.
This was then followed up with interviews to determine if participants had aged successfully. This was defined by the absence of disability during and after the 10-year period, including depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, respiratory symptoms, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
The results showed 249 of the 1609 participants had aged successfully 10 years later, 15.5% of those who had taken part in the study. Futrther more, only 25% of the participants met the daily fiber intake recommendations.
The results also showed that participants that consumed the highest amounts of fibre, compared with those who consumed the least, appeared to have greater odds of aging successfully, being up to 79% more likely to remain free of disability and disease.
Compared with the rest of group, participants who consistently consumed less than the median amount of fiber from products such as breads, cereal and fruit were found to be less likely to age successfully, suggesting that the lack of fiber did appear to independently influence this.
Based on this study, it seems the benefits of eating fiber could include reaching old age disease free and fully functional. However, further studies are needed to confirm the findings before health recommendations can be given to consumers.
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