Even your great-grandmother knew fiber was the secret to keeping you “regular.” But fiber has many other surprisingly powerful health benefits. Here are nine other excellent reasons to bulk up on fiber.

Even your great-grandmother knew fiber was the secret to keeping you “regular.”  But fiber has many other surprisingly powerful health benefits. Here are nine other excellent reasons to bulk up on fiber.

Even your great-grandmother knew fiber was the secret to keeping you “regular.”  And science has proved it time and again.  Studies show fiber can help improve constipation, incontinence, and even bleeding hemorrhoids.  So no news there.

But fiber has many other surprisingly powerful health benefits you may not have suspected.  Whether you get yours as grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables or even bamboo shoots[i], here are nine other excellent reasons to bulk up on fiber.

1. Reduce Heart Disease

The more fiber you get from grains, fruits, and vegetables, the lower your risk of coronary heart disease according to a meta-analysis published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers from China reviewed 18 studies involving more than 670,000 people. Those eating the most fiber reduced their risk of any kind of coronary heart event by seven percent compared to those who ate the least. Even more impressive, however, was the fact that their fiber intake was linked to a 17 percent drop in mortality risk.     

Fiber may also prevent heart attacks.  In a Harvard School of Public Health cohort study published in JAMA researchers reviewed fiber intake from 43,757 US male health professionals.  Over six years men who ate about 29 grams of fiber per day reduced their heart attack risk by 41 percent compared to men who only ate 12.4 grams per day.  They also decreased their risk of fatal coronary disease by 55 percent.

Each 10 gram increase per day in overall dietary fiber lowered heart attack risk by 19 percent.  But fiber from grains was most effective.  Every 10-gram increase in fiber per day from grains reduced heart attack risk by 29 percent.

Other studies show that men eating the most fiber from cereal grains lowered their risk of peripheral artery disease by almost 40 percent.  And fiber from fruit pectin can prevent blockage in the carotid artery.

2. Lower Blood Pressure

A double-blind placebo controlled study of 110 people in New Orleans with high blood pressure concluded that a diet rich in fiber can help lower blood pressure.  Participants were given eight grams per day of water-soluble fiber from oat bran or a placebo. Over 12 weeks their systolic blood pressure was lowered an average of 2.0 mmHg and diastolic pressure by an average of 1.0 mmHg.

Insoluble fiber is also effective to lower blood pressure according to a prospective study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Data from 2,195 people revealed that for every extra four to six grams of insoluble fiber eaten, systolic pressure dropped 1.81 mmHg.

3. Barrett’s Esophagus

A meta-analysis of 15 studies involving 16,885 subjects found that dietary fiber is inversely associated with the risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the esophageal epithelium resulting from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is a precursor to esophageal cancer, one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S., with a poor prognosis and few therapy options. The meta-analysis showed that for every additional 10 grams per day of dietary fiber, the risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer dropped an amazing 31 percent.

And a study in the journal Nutrition and Cancer found that people eating the most fiber from fruits and vegetables (13.2 grams per day) had a 53 percent lower risk of Barrett’s compared to those who ate the least (3.2 grams).  

4. Reduce Cancer Risk

A large, prospective study found that individuals consuming the most dietary fiber from fruit and cereals have reduced risks colorectal and colon cancer.  A high fiber diet was also found to reduce the recurrence of colorectal cancer by 35 percent. 

Australian researchers found that 18 percent of colorectal cancers could be attributed to insufficient fiber intake, and that eating the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables every day could prevent 8.8 percent of all colorectal cancers.  They also estimated that eating the recommended amount of fiber could prevent four percent of all cancers.

Fiber has also been linked to a 29 to 46 percent reduction in risk of endometrial cancer for women eating the most fruit, vegetable and cereal fiber compared to those eating the least.And a meta-analysis of seven studies by Shanghai researchers found that eating more fiber, especially from vegetables and legumes, was linked to a 16 percent reduction in the risk of renal cell carcinoma.

5. Lower Mortality

A meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who ate the most fiber (especially from grains and vegetables) had a 23 percent lower risk of dying compared to those eating the least fiber.  And for every additional 10 grams per day of fiber, risk dropped by 11 percent.  

Fiber from fruit can also be a life-saver.  An 8-year study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people eating more fiber and fruit had lower risks of death.  Those eating the most fiber had a 37 percent lower risk of death compared to those eating the least.  And people eating the most fruit (210 grams per day) lowered their death risk by 41 percent.  

6. Fight Diabetes

A study from Taiwan found that people eating the least fiber-rich foods more than doubled their risk of diabetes. And high fiber intakes have been shown to reduce metabolic syndrome (a risk factor for diabetes) by 59 percent in a group of kidney transplant patients.

One way fiber works is by slowing down blood sugar spikes.  In one randomized, controlled study of 12 type 2 diabetics adding oat bran to meals significantly lowered the blood sugar response.  And a Norwegian study showed that supplementing with 20 grams of dietary fiber reduced blood sugar spikes and crashes.

7. Maintain Healthy Lungs

Using data from 111,580 people in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers studied the link between dietary fiber and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  They found people eating the most fiber (especially from cereals) had a 33 percent lower risk of developing COPD.  

8. Prevent Diverticular Disease

Some scientists believe diverticular disease is caused by a fiber deficiency. 

Researchers from Harvard found that insoluble fiber significantly reduces the risk of diverticular disease.  In a group of U.S. male health professionals, those eating the most insoluble fiber reduced their risk by 37 percent compared to those eating the least.  The results were even better for those eating the most cellulose from foods like apples, peas, beans, and potatoes which were linked to a 48 percent reduction in risk.

And adding fiber to the diet can relieve symptoms of diverticular disease. In a study published in the British Medical Journal doctors treated 40 diverticular patients with 24 grams of wheat bran per day.  At the end of six months, 33 patients showed a very satisfactory clinical response with 60 percent of all symptoms abolished, and a further 28% of symptoms relieved.

9. Avoid Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A recent meta-analysis of 16 studies found that dietary fiber reduces the risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  It linked the highest intakes of fiber to a 20 percent reduction in the risk of colitis and a 56 percent decrease in Crohn’s disease.  In fact, for every 10 grams per day increase in fiber the risk of Crohn’s dropped 13 percent.

The typical American diet includes only about 14 grams of fiber per day compared to recommendations of 20, 30 or even 50 grams.

You need both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber draws fluid into your digestive tract.  It forms a gel that slows down your digestion so you feel full longer and your body has time to extract vitamins and minerals.  Good sources are flax, hemp, and chia seeds as well as the fleshy parts of apples and pears.  Many vegetables as well as legumes and beans have both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber doesn’t break down in your gut and adds bulk to your stool making bowel movements easier.

Good sources of insoluble fiber include whole grains and vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, onions, bell peppers, and celery.  And the skin of fruits and vegetables give you lots of insoluble fiber. Good choices include berries, prunes, dates, apples, pears, cucumbers, grapes, and peas.  Lentils, beans, popcorn, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale will also boost your insoluble fiber intake.