Consuming more dietary fiber after myocardial infarction is associated
with a reduced risk for death, a BMJ study finds.
Researchers analyzed long-term data about diet and other risk factors
from more than 4000 healthcare professionals who had an MI. Nine years
after the MI, people who were in the highest quintile of fiber
consumption had a 25% lower risk for death from any cause. Overall,
there was a 15% reduction in mortality risk associated with every 10-g/
day increase in fiber intake.
The strongest association was observed for fiber derived from cereals
and grains. A strong benefit was also found for people with the
largest increases in fiber consumption after their MI. The findings
remained significant after adjustment for other factors known to
influence survival after MI. However, the authors acknowledge that
they were unable to “fully adjust for all known or unknown healthy
lifestyle changes.”
The authors note that less than 5% of people in the U.S. consume the
minimum recommended amount of fiber (25 g/day for women and 38 g/day
for men).
BMJ article