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Whole fruits and fruit fiber emerging health effects
Although the evidence for the health benefits of consuming adequate levels of whole fruits has been growing, Dreher (2018) emphasizes that less than 10% of most Western populations manage to eat sufficient levels of whole fruits and dietary fiber. The purpose of this study was to present these health benefits associated with the adequate intake of whole fruits throughout the human life cycle. Consuming recommended levels reduces/prevents gastrointestinal issues (e.g. constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diverticular disease), promotes long-term weight management, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, following this recommendation can protect against colorectal and lung cancers, improve odds of successful aging, reduce the severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, enhance mental well-being, and contribute to higher bone mineral density. Thus, low consumption of whole fruits may represent a more serious global population health threat than previously thought. [NPID: diet, disease, mental health, fruits, fiber, Western-style diet, WS diet, gastrointestinal issues, constipation, IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, weight management, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, well-being]
Year: 2018
