Women in particular know how important it is to pack tons of fiber rich foods into their diets. Researchers tell us that a having a diet that’s rich in fiber can help us control our blood sugar, maintain a healthy weight, and can help to lower our cholesterol levels as well as our risk of heart disease. Now, a recent study found yet another reason for us to load up on fiber. Scientists now claim that women who ate plenty of fiber as children and young adults had a much lower risk of developing breast cancer in their adult years.
In an article published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that increases in total fiber intake of 10 grams a day during young adulthood resulted in a decrease in breast cancer risk of about 13%.
While previous studies did not find a link between eating more fiber rich foods and lowering the risk of breast cancer, this study had a much longer follow-up period of time in order to make these claims. However, the researchers did note that the women who participated in the study were not a random sample of American women, and they had to rely on the participants’ memories of what they had eaten during adolescence years later.
Filling Up on Fiber
While some follow-up research would help to confirm the findings of this study, we certainly know that there are a slew of benefits that come from eating a fiber-friendly diet. Eating foods such as avocados, berries, coconuts, artichokes, broccoli, and peas can help you pack in tons of fiber and can easily be incorporated into your meals throughout the day. Check out these fiber-rich recipes from Eatingwell.com that are quick and easy to get on the table.
As we transition into Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, be sure to remind your fellow ladies that the earlier they start funneling fiber into their diets, the better!
– Sara Kildunne