Average fiber intakes in the United States fall woefully short of the current adequate intakes set for various ages and genders. In contrast vegans and vegetarians among us routinely consume this amount or more, and the fiber intake of Paleolithic man has been estimated at about three to four times the current recommendations.
Some research studies support that stool size is protective against colon cancer and that fiber may be helpful for digestive diseases such as Irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Many of the diseases of public health significance such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and constipation may be prevented or treated by increasing the amounts and varieties of fiber containing foods. Promotion of such a food plan across the lifespan by health-care professionals and subsequent implementation by our population should contribute to overall better health.
What better way to vary fiber intake than to make yourself a green smoothie everyday!
Special thanks to Perspectives in Nutrition for supplying some of this information.
