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High-fiber diet lowers cholesterol, reduces risk of death

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Eating a diet that is high in fiber may lead to improved cholesterol test scores and consequently a reduced risk of dying, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health researchers.

The findings that fiber can lower cholesterol are not exactly groundbreaking. Medical professionals have known for years that the nutrient can have a range of heart health benefits. However, it was not common knowledge that this can translate directly into a lower risk of death.

For the study, researchers surveyed 400,000 members of the American Association of Retired People. They then tracked the participants' medical records for a period of 20 years.

They found that individuals who reported eating the highest levels of fiber were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period.

"The results from this study suggest that fiber may have broader health benefits than what has been found before," Frank Hu, who led the study, told Reuters. "The bottom line is that fiber should be a staple in our diet, and we should strive to eat as much fiber as possible."