Fiber Lowers Risk of Death from Coronary Heart Disease

Fiber has been shown to benefit heart health in several ways. Now a new study adds more bulk to the argument for the cardiovascular benefits of fiber by adding coronary heart disease to its list of benefits. . . . 

Previous research has already shown that fiber benefits the cardiovascular system by managing cholesterol and blood pressure. A meta-analysis of eight studies has also shown that dietary fiber lowers your risk of having a first stroke (Stroke 2013;44:1360-8).

This new study is a huge meta-analysis of eighteen studies and includes 672,408 people. Each of the studies looked at the effect of fiber on coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease refers to the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart due to the build up of plaque. It can lead to angina or heart attack and is the leading cause of death in the United States.

The study found that people who got the most fiber in their diet had a significant 7% lower risk of coronary heart disease than the people who got the least. Perhaps even more imporantly, they had a significant 17% lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease.

In this study, fiber from cereal and fruit was especially protective.

Clin Nutr 2015;34:603-11