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 Researchers followed about 1,600 adults aged 49 or older who didn’t
have any history of cancer, stroke or heart disease for a decade.
They also surveyed participants about their fiber intake and eating
habits.
At the end of the study, about 250 people had achieved what
researchers called “successful aging,” meaning they were still free
of cancer and cardiovascular disease and also had no depression,
disability, cognitive impairment, diabetes or other health problems.
People with the highest fiber intake were 79 percent more likely to
age successfully than participants who consumed the lowest amount of
fiber, the study found.
“We speculate that fiber might be reducing inflammation in the body,
which is an important factor in a lot of these diseases and hence,
could have a protective influence on health and protect against
disease,” lead study author Bamini Gopinath of the University of
Sydney said by email.
Two other studies published this week, in the journals Circulation
and The BMJ, linked whole-grain foods, which tend to be high in
fiber, to lower risks for heart disease and cancer.
The Australian study set out to assess the role of sugary foods and
fiber intake on aging. Researchers didn’t find an association
between healthy aging and how much carbohydrates or sugar people
ate. They also didn’t find a link between disease-free aging and
what’s known as the glycemic index, or how much foods can raise the
levels of sugar in the blood.
There also was no difference in vegetable consumption between the
people who aged successfully and those who did not.
Fibers from fruits, whole grain breads and cereals like rolled oats
were associated with healthy aging, suggesting that the influence of
dietary fiber on healthy aging may vary depending on the food
sources it comes from, the authors conclude in the Journals of
Gerontology Series A: Biological Science and Medical Science.
One limitation of the study is that the data on diet and disease
were self-reported, relying on participants to accurately recall
what they ate and whether they had been diagnosed with any medical
problems, the authors note.
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Even so, the findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting
that dietary fiber may influence health, said Nour Makarem, a
nutrition researcher at New York University who wasn’t involved in
the study.
“There are number of mechanisms by which higher fiber intakes can
contribute to successful aging,” Makarem said by email.
“Fiber is associated with increased satiety and fiber food sources
typically have low energy density, thereby reducing the risk of
weight gain, obesity and associated chronic disease,” Makarem noted.
“Individuals with higher fiber intakes may also lead healthier
lifestyles in general, which collectively contribute to improved
health and successful aging.”
While researchers did take some lifestyle factors into account, such
as whether people smoked or maintained a healthy weight, they did
not consider exercise or sleep habits.
“Research is pretty consistent that fiber in plant foods like whole
grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds helps stave off
all kinds of diseases,” said Samantha Heller, a registered dietician
in New York and author of The Only Cleanse.
“Going very low carb as a lifestyle is not necessary for most of us,
nor is it the healthiest or the most realistic approach to a healthy
diet,” Heller, who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/1UuTU7S Journals of Gerontology Series A:
Biological Science and Medical Science, online June 1, 2016.
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