Fiber May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

Numerous studies established the wide-ranging health benefits of fiber.  Most notably, increased dietary intake of fiber associates with lower risks of dying from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases. D. Aune , from Imperial College London (United Kingdom), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis in which they observed that soluble fiber exerted an effect on the risk of breast cancer. Specifically, the researchers observed that for every 10 g per day increase in soluble fiber intake, a woman may reduce her risk of breast cancer by up to 26%. No such effect was observed for insoluble fiber.  Good sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, oat cereal, lentils, apples, oranges, pears, nuts, flaxseeds, beans, dried peas, blueberries, psyllium, cucumbers, celery, and carrots. The study authors conclude that: “In this meta-analysis of prospective studies, there was an inverse association between dietary fiber intake and breast cancer risk.”