Eat more fibre to help heart and cut cancer risk, experts urge

Published on Sunday 17 August 2008 22:09

A NEW campaign has been launched to promote the health benefits of the world's "original supernutrient" – fibre.

Health experts say consumers should aim for fibre instead of so-called "superfoods" and warn that Britons are not eating anywhere near the daily recommended amount.

Guidelines suggest adults should eat 25g of fibre per day, but seven in ten men, and almost nine in ten women, do not get enough.

A report, titled The New F-Word, has been issued from the Fibre Foundation, a new group health and nutrition experts.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP, said: "The health benefits of making sure we have enough fibre in our diet really can't be ignored any longer. It's not difficult to incorporate more fibre-rich foods into our daily routine, whether it's through starting the day with a bran cereal or swapping from white to wholemeal bread. A high-fibre diet can help with everything from your weight to your heart health."

The report says the average Briton consumes 13g of fibre a day. Doubling this could reduce the risk of bowel cancer by 40 per cent. Women eating more than 30g of fibre a day can also help to halve the chances of developing breast cancer. Fibre can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by a third, and help provide a healthier heart and digestive system.

Experts at the new foundation say fibre helps to regulate blood fats and blood pressure, as well as slow the release of sugars into the blood stream.

For every 10g more fibre eaten every day, the risk of heart disease can fall by 14 per cent.