Dietary Fiber, Whole Grains Associated with Lower Disease Risk

By Kelly Young

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

Greater consumption of whole grains and dietary fiber is associated with lower risks for several noncommunicable diseases, according to a Lancet meta-analysis.

Researchers analyzed 185 prospective studies and 58 clinical trials of 4600 adults. The highest dietary fiber intake was associated with a 15% to 31% reduction in mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes, compared with the lowest intake. This meant 13 fewer deaths and 6 fewer cases of CHD per 1000 adults over the course of the studies. The authors report that consuming 25–29 g of fiber daily conferred the greatest benefits.

Higher whole grain intake provided similar benefits, while a low-glycemic-index diet did not.

The authors say their work provides "convincing evidence for nutrition recommendations to replace refined grains with whole grains and increase dietary fiber to at least 25–29 g per day."