Dietary Fiber Boosts Health and May Extend Lifespan

Follow-up - Al-Wasat Iraqi newspaper

Health reports have indicated that consuming adequate amounts of dietary fiber daily not only improves digestion but may also be associated with reduced risks of chronic diseases and overall mortality.

Lifestyle medicine specialist Dr. Suhaib Imtiaz explained that "health data link obtaining adequate amounts of fiber with lower risks of death, including deaths resulting from heart disease and cancer."

He noted that "one possible explanation goes back to the effect of fiber on the gut microbiome, as it helps support beneficial bacteria that ferment fiber and produce short-chain fatty acids, which contribute to supporting the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation."

He added that "consuming fiber may also help support metabolism, regulate sugar and fat metabolism, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress."