The answer may be partly related to the young age of the study population or to other factors such as calorie intake. Diets relatively high in fiber are favorably associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk factors. The subjects in this study with the highest fiber intake smoked less and exercised more. Fiber-rich foods include oatmeal, oat bran, rice bran, beans, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries, apples, whole wheat breads and cereals, brown rice and many fruits and vegetables. Diets high in fiber also tend to be low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Foods containing fiber are good sources of other nutrients and are relatively low in calories.
On the basis of this study there is no evidence that adding a fiber supplement to the diet will have a similar effect to that reported for fiber-rich foods. Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.