Dietary fiber and health: Cardiovascular disease and beyond

Dietary fiber, mainly derived from fruit, vegetables, and grains, is nondigestible carbohydrates and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants. Since dietary fiber was hypothesized to have beneficial effects on several western diseases, numerous studies found that high dietary fiber intake was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer. These findings were supported by plausible mechanisms based on physiologic effects of dietary fiber on blood lipids, blood pressure, glucose and insulin metabolism, satiety, and inflammation. Epidemiologic studies have significantly contributed to the recognition of dietary fiber as an essential constituent of a healthy diet. Recently, emerging evidence suggested that dietary fiber intake was related to a lower risk of a broad range of diseases, including inflammatory, respiratory, and renal diseases, and several cancers. This chapter reviews the existing and emerging epidemiologic evidence on the benefits of dietary fiber on health.