Fiber-rich diet means longer life

Almaty. February 16. Kazakhstan Today - A new study of People National Institutes of Health claims people who consume higher amounts of fiber, particularly from grains, have significantly higher chances of living longer, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Fiber, found in whole grains, beans, nuts, vegetables and fruits aids the body with bowel movements, lowers blood-cholesterol levels and improves blood glucose levels, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

That's the message from the largest study of its kind to find a link between high-fiber diets and lower risks of death not only from heart disease, but from infectious and respiratory illnesses as well, The Associated Press reported.

The government study also ties fiber with a lower risk of cancer deaths in men, but not women, possibly because men are more likely to die from cancers related to diet, like cancers of the esophagus. And it finds the overall benefit to be strongest for diets high in fiber from grains.

The study also looked at the type of fiber consumed and found that the most significant health benefits in both men and women came from whole grains, as well as beans, although the benefits of beans was stronger for women than for men. There also appeared to be a benefit from eating vegetables, but improvements did not result in statistically significant increases in lifespan, Fox News informed.

Fiber from fruit had no impact on longevity.

Researchers controlled for other factors that impact health such as smoking, exercise and body weight.

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