Cereal fiber consumption may lower cardiovascular disease risk, study finds

11 Apr 2022 --- The consumption of cereal fiber, not fruit or vegetable fiber, has been linked to reduced inflammation in elderly adults.

This is according to a study conducted by researchers from the US-based Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health who assessed whether dietary fiber intake – from fruits, vegetables or cereal – was linked to a reduction in inflammation in older adults and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

“Higher intake of dietary fiber is associated with lower CVD risk. A common hypothesis has been that higher fiber intakes reduce inflammation, subsequently leading to lower CVD risk,” says Rupak Shivakoti, assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School.

“With findings from this study, we are now learning that one particular type of dietary fiber – cereal fiber – but not fruit or vegetable fiber is associated with lower inflammation. With findings from this study, we now are learning that cereal fiber has the potential to reduce inflammation and will need to be tested in future interventional studies.”

Investigating cereal fiber’s effectiveness
The study used data from a well-characterized prospective cohort of older people, including thorough information on nutritional intake, inflammation and CVD incidence.

The research verified previously established links between dietary fiber and CVD. It looked at the source of the fiber, the relationship between fiber and numerous inflammatory markers – whether inflammation mediated the relationship between dietary fiber and CVD.

Researchers note that it is unclear if cereal fiber or other nutrients in cereal fiber-rich diets are causing the observed associations.Of the 4125 adults enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study from 1989 to 1990, participants received a food frequency questionnaire administered to those without prevalent CVD at enrollment. They then had follow-up visits for the development of CVD – stroke, myocardial infarction, atherosclerotic cardiovascular death – through June 2015.

Blood samples were assessed for markers of inflammation.

“We learned that inflammation had only a modest role in mediating the observed inverse association between cereal fiber and CVD,” adds Shivakoti.

“This suggests that factors other than inflammation may play a larger role in the cereal fiber-associated reduction in CVD and will need to be tested in future interventions of specific populations.”

Seeking future research
Researchers note there has been little previous research on the relationship between fiber and inflammation in elderly people, who have higher levels of inflammation than younger adults.

Total fiber, particularly cereal fiber, but not fruit or vegetable fiber, was consistently linked to reduced inflammation and lower CVD incidence.Shivakoti notes that it is not clear whether cereal fiber or other nutrients in foods rich in cereal fiber are driving the observed relationships.

Although there is data to suggest that fiber might have anti-inflammatory effects by improving gut function, further investigation is needed to determine the reason cereal fiber and not vegetable or fruit fiber is associated with lower inflammation, Shivakoti adds.

Previously, a study by Tate & Lyle found that adding fiber to everyday foods can reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes in 72% of the UK population.

Meanwhile, according to a Zoe Predict study, gut-friendly personalized meals (such as those containing fiber) may help prevent menopause difficulties.

Edited by Nicole Kerr