Fiber rich foods especially grains bring down cancer risk

Fiber rich foods especially grains bring down cancer risk

Fiber rich foods such as whole grains decrease the overall risk of cancer and contributes to longevity, a new U.S. study said.

The researchers of the study, published Monday in the latest issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at how this type of food affects not only the likelihood of dying from cancer but also the link to lung disease and infections like flu and pneumonia.

Whole grains were found to be most beneficial among fiber rich foods in reducing cancer risk. Men more than women tend to have lower risk, probably because men often die from diet-related cancers.

The study of 388,000 male and female Americans aged 50 to 71 showed that those who consumed the largest amount of fiber reduced their cancer risk by 22 percent according to study author Dr. Yikyung Park of the National Cancer Institute.

The benefits of eating foods rich in fiber stood out even with other factors like educational attainment, smoking and weight taken into consideration.

In an attached editorial of the study, which was done under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Frank Hu of Harvard School of Public Health said, "The results suggest that the benefits of dietary fiber go beyond heart health."

Fiber has been proven in many studies to stabilize blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels and are therefore helpful for diabetics and heart patients. The substance is thought to flush toxins out of the body. Whole grain products, beans, vegetables and fruits are some examples of fiber rich foods.

Posted by George Daniels on Tuesday February 15 2011, 5:23 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0