New Delhi: Turns out, vegetables and fruits are even healthier than you thought. A study commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that eating a diet high in fibre and whole grains could help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. High-fibre foods are filling, increasing your feeling of fullness after a meal without raising your blood sugar or adding calories. Perhaps, they are among the most powerful foods when it comes to weight loss.
As per the study, published in The Lancet, total deaths and incidences of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer fell by 5 to 27 per cent for every 8 gram increase in dietary fibre eaten a day. Protection against stroke and breast cancer also increased. The study found that consuming 25g to 29g of dietary fibre each day was adequate to reap the benefits but higher intakes of the nutrient could provide even greater health protection. However, the research also found that most people worldwide do not eat enough dietary fibre, consuming less than 20g of fibre a day.
“Our findings provide convincing evidence for nutrition guidelines to focus on increasing dietary fibre and on replacing refined grains with whole grains. This reduces incidence risk and mortality from a broad range of important diseases,” said Jim Mann, who co-led the research and a professor at the University of Otago, New Zealand.
High-fibre foods you should eat to lose weight or improve health
Here are five high-fibre foods that can help you trim belly fat and reduce your risk of certain health problems.
Spinach
Low in calories and high in nutrients and antioxidants, spinach is an excellent source of dietary fibre. Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable that provides a plethora of health benefits, ranging from weight loss to protecting you from diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Bananas
Bananas contain powerful antioxidants and ample amounts of nutrients, including fibre. Studies have shown that eating fibre-rich bananas can help you lose weight and benefit your health in various forms. The fruit is packed full of energy-giving carbohydrate and heart-healthy potassium.
Beans
Not only they are packed with fibre, beans are also high in protein and other essential nutrients. They are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the risk of cancer. Being high in fibre and healthy starches, beans can help prevent food cravings and avoid overeating, aiding in weight loss.