Many in the UK struggle to identify the true meaning of dietary fibre, which may explain why they’re not reaching the recommended daily quota. The revelation emerges from a study entitled “Going against the grain”, examining the responses of over 1,000 British adults from the ages of 18 to 75.
The report highlights the stark ‘fibre gap’ troubling Brits, along with offering straightforward advice on incorporating more roughage into meals. Dietary fibre, an indigestible carbohydrate found in plants, is crucial for maintaining gut health and may help ward off certain illnesses.
Dr Gill Jenkins, who holds a special interest in diabetes care, underscored the importance of addressing this shortfall as represented by research commissioned by General Mills, creators of FibreOne, drawing on UK dietary intake figures: “The report conducted on behalf of General Mills, the maker of FibreOne, and based on UK dietary intake data, tells us that Brits need to plug the fibre gap if they want to live long and healthy lives.”
While a majority (65%) of those questioned agreed the UK population generally consumes insufficient fibre, self-assessment revealed a more lenient view: less than half (45%) felt their own fibre intake was lacking, and about four in 10 (38%) believed they consumed enough. Nonetheless, these perceptions clash with national statistics, stating that under one in ten (9%) meet the advised daily intake of 30 grams.
While a significant majority (74%) of those surveyed professed to understand what dietary fibre is, only a mere third (36%) could correctly identify it as ‘a type of carbohydrate that humans can’t digest’ from a list of options. As Dr Carrie Ruxton, a dietitian and advisor to the General Mills fibre campaign, highlights: “This means that nearly two-thirds of Brits have no idea what fibre is.
“This hazy knowledge surrounding dietary fibre intake poses a real public health problem when you consider that poor diets, are responsible for 11 million deaths worldwide and more than 600,000 of these directly relate to low-fibre diets.”
The advantages of consuming fibre are undeniable, according to Dr Jenkins: “Fibre helps to manage our blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels. It feeds the good bacteria in our gut, it encourages pathogens and other toxins to move through the digestive system and out of the body, and it prevents overeating by helping us feel fuller after meals.
“So it follows that not getting enough fibre throughout adulthood has several major health consequences. Particular areas of concern – when it comes to our huge fibre fail – include having an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or bowel cancer.”
The latest survey has thrown into stark relief the astonishing lack of awareness among Brits regarding the advantages of including more fibre in their diets. More than 40% of adults surveyed were oblivious to the fact that a high-fibre diet can slash the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
This ignorance persists despite a review in Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners presenting evidence that a fibrous diet mitigates blood sugar and insulin levels post mealtime, as well as assists in reducing cholesterol for those with type 2 diabetes.
A whopping three quarters of participants were unaware that increasing their fibre intake could significantly cut the risk of heart disease. This is in contrast to a ‘super study’s’ findings whichrevealed a marked decline in cardiovascular diseases among groups consuming high amounts of dietary fibre compared to those with minimal intake.
Additionally, an astonishing seven out of ten individuals were clueless about the protective effect fibre has against bowel cancer. This is in spite of research published in the British Journal of Nutrition indicating that fibre sourced particularly from wholegrains, but also fruits and vegetables, plays a critical role in curbing the development of bowel tumours.
“International health and nutrition authorities agree that fibre consumption is linked with a wide range of health benefits,” said Dr Jenkins. Experts endorse the key advantages stemming from high-fibre diets, encapsulating a sweep of health improvements.
Dr Ruxton said: “It’s staggering that around one in ten deaths from bowel cancer or heart disease globally are simply due to a lack of fibre – something that could easily be fixed. Increasing fibre by just 10g a day – the equivalent of three servings of fruit – has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by 15% and the risk of bowel cancer by 13%.”
This assertion is backed by findings from European and UK food scientific bodies, which confirm that adequate fibre intake supports normal bowel function and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. However, only a quarter of Brits polled reported consuming high-fibre foods daily – the most effective way to meet dietary targets.
While most attempt to incorporate high-fibre foods into their diet a few times a week, approximately a third admit to eating them less than once a week. This indicates that fibre is often overlooked when planning meals.
According to the survey, the primary reason for the nation’s inadequate fibre intake is that around a third of people fail to consider fibre when grocery shopping. Dr Ruxton highlighted a concerning trend: “Just one in five (21%) said they prioritised higher fibre varieties of store cupboard staples despite this being one of the best ways to boost fibre in the diet. This means choosing wholegrain breakfast cereals, brown rice and pasta, skin-on potatoes and wholegrain bread and, crucially, knowing how to recognise them in the store. Astonishingly, fibre was dropped as a mandatory declared nutrient on food labels several years ago.”
Dr Jenkins added: “The problem isn’t a lack of evidence but a lack of knowledge and communication. So, as a matter of public health importance, we need to encourage everyone to consume more fibre and give them the tools to do that easily within their busy lives.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
