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