Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Experts propose fiber as first new essential nutrient in 50 years
Medical Xpress / University of Otago / Nature Food ^ | Jan. 21, 2026 | Andrew N. Reynolds et al

Posted on 01/24/2026 6:16:58 PM PST by ConservativeMind

Nutrition experts are calling for dietary fiber to be officially recognized internationally as an essential nutrient—the first "new" essential nutrient in more than 50 years.

Andrew Reynolds says increasing our dietary fiber intakes would deliver greater health benefits than increasing any other essential nutrient, given that our current fiber intakes are below World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

"The disease burden associated with diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer would be expected to be appreciably reduced by such a dietary change."

Their argument is supported by more than 100 years of research into its chemistry, physical properties, physiology, and metabolic effects as well as more recent meta-analyses and clinical trials.

"Looking across multiple studies, we see that when people increase fiber intake, their body weight, cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure all improve. When following people over decades, we see those with higher fiber intakes get less heart disease, less type 2 diabetes, less colorectal cancer, and are less likely to die prematurely," he says.

"Focusing on increasing intakes of high-fiber foods such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables and whole fruit is likely to deliver substantial health benefits.

To be recognized as essential, the nutrient must be beneficial to human health, not be produced by the body itself, and absence of the nutrient would result in a measurable deficiency state.

Previous work of co-author Professor Tannock has shown that low fiber intakes result in a relatively unfunctional gut microbiome, with increasing fiber intakes restoring microbiome function and its relationship with the human host.

Currently, New Zealanders eat an average 20g of fiber a day, while the WHO guideline recommends at least 25g per day.

Associate Professor Reynolds says just 5g more per day on average would meet that minimum healthy intake of fiber.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

Beans, lentils, low carb veggies and even keto bread products and fiber supplements can all help.

Women should get 28 grams a day and men between 32 and 38 grams a day, as minimal targets.

1 posted on 01/24/2026 6:16:58 PM PST by ConservativeMind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 01/24/2026 6:18:01 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
Women should get 28 grams a day

I can't define a woman.

3 posted on 01/24/2026 6:24:14 PM PST by Salvey (<I)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Psyllium Husk Powder!!


4 posted on 01/24/2026 6:40:36 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Broccoli - nature’s intestinal broom. I’ll let myself out.


5 posted on 01/24/2026 7:16:59 PM PST by Noumenon (They killed the guy who just wanted to talk. Now... now they've got me. KTF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

No indication fiber is even NEEDED. Certainly not needed in significant amounts. Lots of us have gone decades averaging under 5 grams a day, or even ZERO grams a day, with no negative outcomes!


6 posted on 01/24/2026 7:21:52 PM PST by Mr Rogers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

The studies they claim all suffer from “Healthy User Bias”. People who plus up their fiber intake are interested in their health and less likely to be living on junk food. Thus “better outcomes”, but not because of “fiber” but because of more exercise, less highly processed foods, taking supplements, etc.


7 posted on 01/24/2026 7:23:54 PM PST by Mr Rogers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom

“Psyllium Husk Powder!!”

In capsules. Take every day.


8 posted on 01/24/2026 7:24:33 PM PST by MayflowerMadam ( "Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away". - B. Franklin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Does beer have fiber ?


9 posted on 01/24/2026 7:25:28 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn... )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MayflowerMadam

I started it a couple months back. I just use the powder and mix with 12 ounces of water. Good stuff!


10 posted on 01/24/2026 8:04:34 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

The human body evolved to process any food it could obtain, fat, fiber, meat, fish, carbohydrates etc. Our body want all the above to stay healthy as that is what we were designed for by what was available to eat.

With advent of agriculture things changed. Agriculture feeds us carbs in abundance and human population exploded but was still genetically wired to a different diet. A Paleo diet is good for us. Our diet today is not healthy.

RFK Junior is a left wing liberal. He understands health and food and vaccines. I would never vote for him as a presidential candidate. He is the perfect choice in his present position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Trump choose wisely.


11 posted on 01/24/2026 9:25:59 PM PST by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, MAGA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Women should get 28 grams a day and men between 32 and 38 grams a day, as minimal targets.

Safety warning

If you use a gripping post to defecate you have to much.

Drink lots of water


12 posted on 01/25/2026 5:56:33 AM PST by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

First off, anything from WHO should be treated as no more reliable than if from CNN. They are pretty muchthe same.


13 posted on 01/25/2026 7:44:10 AM PST by bobbo666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson