'Forgotten' nutrient can slash cholesterol - and you're probably not eating enough of it
'Forgotten' nutrient can slash cholesterol - and you're probably not eating enough of it
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Brits have been urged to boost their intake of a specific nutrient that can help lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, and keep hunger at bay. The majority of UK adults are fibre-deficient, consuming only about 60% of the daily recommended amount, with the average intake falling short of the recommended 30g per day, according to Dr Emily Leeming, a scientist and dietician.
The NHS advises that a high-fibre diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. Foods rich in fibre include porridge oats, carrots, apples, and pears. Dr Leeming noted that fibre plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and provides additional benefits throughout the body. She stated: "We're missing about 40 per cent of that recommended 30 grammes of fibre that we need a day.
"This forgotten nutrient that we need to be paying attention to. It helps with your heart health, it helps to soak up bad cholesterol for that to be removed from your body as waste, it helps to balance your blood sugar levels, giving you longer lasting energy, so it's not only just helping with your gut mircobiome, it's having many other benefits in your body too.".
Fibre is a plant-based carbohydrate, better known as roughage, which could be your gut's best friend. Found in foods such as wholegrains and veggies, fibre is crucial for smooth digestive operations, nurturing the good bacteria within your large intestine. A varied microbiome can cut inflammation in your intestines and bowels, reducing the risk of diverticulitis and even colon cancer.
