Fiber and Health

Taking a short break from book writing as the proofers proof. Saw this article and thought it was fitting.

Blow to low carb diet as landmark study finds high fibre cuts heart disease risk

Here’s a review of a study that says fiber is important to our overall health. Nowhere in this multi-page essay do they mention gut bacteria or even the gut flora, probiotics, or prebiotics. This shows that the mainstream public thinks fiber is “just some roughage.” But they are trying to get the message out. Most people must not care about gut flora like we do around here. So it gets presented in the most basic form possible.  Eat “special” “fiber,” get “better” “health”!

Sugar is a “bad” carbohydrate, but fibre is found in “good” carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread and oat-based muesli. However, the overwhelming backlash against sugar has led to popular diets that reject carbohydrates, including the fibrous sort that can, say the scientists, save lives.

I have been saying this nearly a decade now! In the rush to avoid gluten or go paleo, we are missing out on the wholesome fiber-rich staples our ancestors evolved on.

But nobody cares. The diet world is just clickbait. Millions being spent to make us click on an ad, or even just look at an ad.

But he said it would not end the “diet wars”, because there were so many vested interests involved. “It’s twofold. There is the commercial vested interest, which there is an enormous amount of from chefs and celebrity chefs and so on. And there is also the professional vested interest.” This included some doctors and scientists, he said.

This hits the nail on the head. People with a vested interest keep fad diets alive even when the evidence suggests that it is harmful in the long run. Every diet needs to shift their recommendations towards more fiber, even if that means more carbs. Besides just carbs and fiber, whole grains and tubers are filled with an unbelievable array of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more. To ban these two mega-foods is outlandish.

The entire argument here boils down to one simple agenda:

The review found that we should be eating at least 25g to 29g of fibre a day, with indications that over 30g is even better. Most people in the world manage less than 20g.

That’s it. That’s what the fight is all about. Someone wants everyone to eat 5-10 grams more fiber every day. That’s all. Adding that small amount could save lives. This is what my whole “resistance starch” craze was all about. Adding just a bit of fermentable fiber is the difference between good and bad health.

That’s it.

Why so difficult? Because if the dieting public realizes that they need things missing from their current diet plan, they’ll run away and never come back. In this case, it’s the low carb/KETO world that is keeping people scared of bread, potatoes, and grains.  The Keto-crew do not want to see people lined up at Great Harvest Bread Co.  Or reading The Potato Hack. If there’s a carb that can be recognized, it’s a potato. Low carber’s enemy #1. Next to it is a loaf of whole-grain bread. Both labeled, “Sugar.”

Rant over.

Later!

Tim