Is dietary fiber the key to anti-aging?
Dietary fiber is a substance found in plants, seeds, legumes and other natural foods. It is a very important part of the diet, as it is known to help digestive health and help with weight control. New research shows that fiber health benefits could extend beyond these benefits. Is dietary fiber the key to anti-aging?
The new study from Westmead Institute followed older adults for 10 years. These participants ate diets rich in fiber like breads, cereal, and fruits.
Lead author Bamini Gopinath, an associate professor in the Institute’s Centre for Vision Research, explained that the study is the first to take a look at the association between carb intake and successful aging.
“Out of all the variables that we looked at, fiber intake – which is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest – had the strongest influence,” she said.
The study abstract explained the following methods and results:
Results: In all, 249 (15.5%) participants had aged successfully 10 years later. Dietary GI, GL, and carbohydrate intake were not significantly associated with successful aging. However, participants in the highest versus lowest (reference group) quartile of total fiber intake had greater odds of aging successfully than suboptimal aging, multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–2.84). Those who remained consistently below the median in consumption of fiber from breads/cereal and fruit compared with the rest of cohort were less likely to age successfully, OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.34–0.84) and OR 0.64 (95% CI 0.44–0.95), respectively.
The authors concluded: “Consumption of dietary fiber from breads/cereals and fruits independently influenced the likelihood of aging successfully over 10 years. These findings suggest that increasing intake of fiber-rich foods could be a successful strategy in reaching old age disease free and fully functional.”
So is dietary fiber the key to anti-aging? While it certainly won’t slow down time or signs of aging, it could really work wonders for getting you to old age without disease or disability.
The new study was published in The Journals of Gerontology.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.
Fiber is key to weight loss.
New dietary supplement prevents severe brain aging.
Good high fat diet may postpone brain aging.
REFERENCES:
1. “Could Dietary Fiber Be Key to Successful Aging?” Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.
2. “Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years.” The Journals of Gerontology. The Gerontological Society of America, n.d. Web. 8 June 2016.
3. “Dietary Fiber Intake Tied to Successful Aging, Research Reveals.” The Gerontological Society of America. The Gerontological Society of America, n.d. Web. 8 June 2016.
4. “Fiber: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 08 June 2016.
