Increase Fiber Intake to Lower Stroke Risk

Calories. Fat. Sodium.

When it comes to reading nutritional labels, those are the top three ingredients people like to control.

But a new study may steer folks to look for something else in the Nutritional Facts label: Fiber.

Dietary fiber, already known for its ability to help reduce risk factors for stroke, can lower a person’s risk of first-time stroke. And for every seven-gram increase in total daily fiber intake, a person can lower their risk of having a first-time stroke by 7 percent, according to a news release from the American Heart Association.

More than 137,000 people die annually from stroke. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.

“Greater intake of fiber-rich foods – such as whole-grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts – are important for everyone, and especially for those with stroke risk factors like being overweight, smoking and having high blood pressure,” said Diane Threapleton, lead author of the UK study. The study was published in the journal Stroke.

The American Heart Association recommends adults consume 25 grams of fiber every day. It’s the equivalent of eating six to eight servings of grains and eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, the news release states.

“Most people do not get the recommended level of fiber, and increasing fiber may contribute to lower risk for strokes,” Threapleton said. “We must educate consumers on the continued importance of increasing fiber intake and help them learn how to increase fiber in their diet.”