Barndad Nutrition Fiber DX

Fiber for a Healthy Heart

How Fiber Protects Your Heart
WebMD Feature

By R. Morgan Griffin

Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD

You probably already know that fiber helps with digestion. Did you know it can have big benefits for your heart health too?

“Studies have shown that foods that have a lot of fiber are clearly associated with lower risk of heart disease,” says Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, American Heart Association spokeswoman and director of the cardiovascular nutrition research program at Tufts University’s Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.

How does dietary fiber help us? Is it something in the fiber itself, or are the benefits less direct? Here’s what you need to know about fiber for heart health and low cholesterol.

Fiber for Heart Health: The Benefits

Dietary fiber is the name for certain carbohydrates — from vegetables, plants, and grains — that the body can’t digest fully. Evidence for the benefits of fiber for heart health is quite strong. It’s been established in numerous studies. Diets high in fiber are associated with:

  • Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels
  • Lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes
  • Lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
  • Lower risk of heart disease
  • Lower risk of diabetes
  • Healthier weights and lower rates of obesity

To read this article in it’s entirey and learn more about the benefits of fiber, be sure to check out WebMD.com

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