In an age of caveman styled diets and carbohydrate aversion, it’s no surprise that Australian’s are getting mixed messages about what they should be eating and avoiding, especially when it comes to their fibre intake and with gut health such an important topic in Australia, we want to share with you these top fibre tips.
So, to set some things straight, we have compiled a list of the top six fibre facts to help dispel fibre myths and demonstrate why it is such an important part of a healthy, balanced diet.
1.The role of fibre in a balanced and healthy diet has been known for many, many years
The father of medicine, Hippocrates, is believed to be the first to have stressed the importance of wheat bran in keeping the large intestine healthy. This means that from the 4th Century BC all the way to 2018, health advocates have been prostelitising the benefits of grain fibre.
2.It is better to reach your daily fibre intake from food sources rather than fibre supplements
Fibre-rich foods offer additional intrinsic nutrient benefits that help to bolster and compliment dietary health benefits, foods that contain fibre are also highly likely to contain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It is very difficult to manufacture or replicate these, despite the number of supplements available on the market.
3.Four out of five Australians are not eating enough fibre to help reduce the risk of chronic disease
Research conducted by Nutritional Research Australia on the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey showed that four out of five Australian adults are not getting enough fibre to help reduce the risk of chronic disease, diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Two out of three are not eating enough fibre to meet the adequate intake. It’s not surprising since research from the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council has shown that 47% of Australians are deliberately limiting their grain food intake.
4.Fibre from grain food holds the greatest potential of all the fibres to help reduce the combined risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
The dietary fibre from grain (cereal) foods is particularly important for chronic disease risk reduction. Comparisons of different fibre sources in epidemiological studies show that cereal fibre is associated with a greater risk reduction for T2D than fruit or vegetable fibre and a very similar risk reduction profile for coronary heart disease.
5.Men are more likely to be further way from the chronic disease fibre target than women.
Inadequacy is also more prevalent in men. Only 14% of men are getting enough fibre to help reduce the risk of chronic disease compared to 20% of women. The problem is even larger in young men with only 11% getting enough fibre to help reduce the risk of chronic disease compared to 16% of older men
6.Not all fibres are created equal
All plant foods contain a combination of different fibres and there are three main types. Soluble fibre helps to slow digestion, control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fibre moves all the way down to the colon where it helps to make your stool heavier and easier to pass. Fermentable fibres feed the good bugs in the intestine, which helps to keep a balanced digestive system and produce compounds that protect your bowel.
Add Comment