How Fiber Intake Is Linked To Healthy Ageing

Dietary fiber keeps people ‘regular’ and reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, while lowering blood pressure. Now, new evidence suggests there are additional benefits according to Australian researchers.

A population based study [1] of more than 1600 adults aged 50 or over looked at the risk of long-term sensory loss from systemic diseases. Scientists were exploring the relationship between carbohydrates and healthy ageing. This included total fiber intake, glycemic index, load and sugar intake.

Their findings suggest that fiber is the biggest factor in if an individual “aged successfully”. Factors determining this included absence of cognitive impairment, disability, depressive symptoms, respiratory problems. It also included chronic diseases like cancers, CVry artery disease and stroke.

The study focuses on the relationship between eating carbohydrates and healthy ageing. Their findings were significant enough to require further investigation. Their discovery is that those with the highest fiber intake had an 80% higher likelihood of living a long and healthy life over a 10 year period.

This meant less risk of suffering from diabetes, dementia, depression, hypertension and functional disability compared to those who didn’t have a high fiber intake. It also validates researchers’ findings, showing the importance of increasing fiber intake for anyone who wants to age healthily.

A great way to include more fiber into the diet is to eat more whole foods like green leafy vegetables and legumes. Legumes are an excellent source of fiber with Black Beans containing 8.7g per 100g and Lentils containing 7.9g per 100g. Chickpeas contain 7.6g of fiber per 100g and Mung Beans contain 7.6g per 100g.

Legumes are a cholesterol-free food containing virtually no saturated fat and are rich in folate, magnesium, thiamine, iron and potassium. These are all necessary vitamins and minerals for the body to heal and repair itself.

More evidence is emerging that legumes can promote healthy cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. A good way to include more legumes into your diet is to eat Really Healthy Pasta™. This is made from legumes and nothing else. Ready in 5 minutes and simple to prepare, Really Healthy Pasta™ is easy to enjoy with your favourite sauce, fish or vegetables.

You can use Really Healthy Pasta to make your favourite pasta dishes at lunch, dinner, as a snack or even for breakfast. It’s the healthy meal replacement to ensure you’re getting plenty of fiber into your diet on a daily basis. Vital for anyone who wants to age healthily and avoid premature ageing.